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Restarting tourism in Europe − Where and how can we travel?
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As the spread of the coronavirus across Europe is slowing, a growing number of countries are easing restrictions and opening their borders. However, conditions and restrictive measures may be different for each country since there has not been a comprehensive agreement.
24 has gathered the latest information about the tourism restart plans of European countries and their travel restrictions.
Safely resuming travel
The tourism industry has been massively affected by the spread of coronavirus as well as the travel restrictions. Italy was one of the focal points of the coronavirus pandemic in Europe, and it was the first European country to go into lockdown. Tourism is one of the main industries in Italy, and the contribution of tourism to the Italian economy has constantly been growing. In 2019, it represented roughly 13% of the country’s GDP. After months of isolation, the Italian government decided to permit
unrestricted travel between Italy and other Schengen countries − with no quarantine requirements − and within Italy itself from June 3.
Despite the decrease in coronavirus cases and deaths, Hungary and some neighbouring countries (Slovenia, Switzerland, and France) are maintaining restrictions for Italians. On Wednesday, Austria announced that it would reopen its border with Italy from June 16.
In the case of Germany, the Federal German Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced its decision to
lift the travel warning for non-essential trips to 31 European countries from June 15.
These countries include the EU Member States, the Schengen Area countries, the United Kingdom, and Northern Ireland. However, it has to be noted that Germany extended travel warning to the rest of the world outside the EU until the end of August.
Air bridges
In the United Kingdom,
the Foreign Office (FCO) is currently advising against all but essential international travel for an indefinite period.
The FCO first advised against all but essential travel in March as the coronavirus spread throughout the world, and then amended its guidance to an “indefinite” travel ban in April. It has given no indication as to when that ban will be lifted. From June 8, all who arrive have to self-isolate for 14 days or face a £1,000 fine.
The Government announced that it is considering ‘air bridges’ – travel links between the United Kingdom and other selected countries − as a way of relaunching international travel. This solution would allow quarantine-free travel between the UK and countries with similar infection rates. It will be complemented with a five-point assessment that will include:
- the economic importance of the country to the UK,
- the number of passengers and amount of trade,
- the Covid-19 “risk picture” and the health screening requirements in place at airports for passengers coming to Britain,
- the country’s Covid-19 controls,
- the country’s reproduction rate of infection.