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In a press release the EC has come up with a plan on how to get tourism restarted and for summer 2020. In the document many points were covered here are a few:-
1. What is the Commission proposing today?
The Commission package on tourism and transport in 2020 and beyond is composed of three guidelines and a recommendation to help EU countries gradually lift travel restrictions, allow businesses to reopen and ensure that people in Europe can benefit from a safe and relaxing summer after months of confinement while respecting necessary health precautions.
The package includes:
- A chapeau communication on tourism and transport in 2020 and beyond;
- A common approach to lifting restrictions of free movement at EU internal borders in a gradual and coordinated way, mirroring the progressive lifting of domestic restrictions;
- A common framework to support the gradual re-establishment of transport whilst ensuring the safety of passengers and personnel;
- A recommendation to make travel vouchers an attractive alternative to cash reimbursement;
- Common criteria and principles for gradually and safely restoring tourism activities, in particular for health protocols for hospitality (hotels, etc.).
I. RESTORING FREE MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE
2. Will I be able to travel abroad this summer?
Many families have endured long periods of separation to help stem the tide of the virus. As soon as the epidemiological situation allows it, people should to be able to travel safely to be reunited with their families, as well as for business or leisure. The first step to make this possible is that the domestic epidemiological situation allows relaxation of domestic free movement restrictions.
Travelling abroad will depend on the evolution of the public health situation in Member States. While a generalised lifting of restrictions would be desirable if the health situation were sufficiently positive across the Union, the Commission anticipates that a staged and coordinated approach is likely to be necessary. This would start by lifting restrictions and controls between regions and Member States with sufficiently similar epidemiological situations. The approach must also be flexible, including the possibility to reintroduce certain measures if the health situation requires.
The Commission is inviting Member States to engage in a process of re-opening unrestricted cross-border movement within the Union on the basis of 3 criteria:
(1) epidemiological, notably focusing on areas and Member States where the situation is improving, based on the regional map being developed by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control;
(2) the ability to apply containment measures (e.g. physical distancing, hygiene) throughout the whole journey, including at border crossings and;
(3) economic and social considerations, prioritising cross-border movement in key areas of health, social and economic activity.
The lifting of restrictions at borders in the first phase between regions or Member States with similar epidemiological situations. This does not only concern neighbouring Member States: when restrictions are lifted between two regions, the same treatment should be extended to all regions in Europe where the health situation is comparable.
The principle of non-discrimination must be respected: where a Member State decides to lift its restrictions on movement to and from another Member State, or as regards regions or areas of either such Member State, this must apply, without discrimination, to all EU citizens and to all residents of that Member State regardless of their nationality, and should apply to all parts of the Union in a similar epidemiological situation.
3. Who does the recommendation apply to?
The recommendations concerns the free movement of persons and lifting of internal border controls and are therefore addressed to all EU Member States – whether or not they are part of the Schengen area – as well as all Schengen Associated countries.
The Commission is also ready to associate the Western Balkans closely with the implementation of its Joint Roadmap towards lifting COVID-19 containment measures, in line with the Commission’s Communication on “Support to the Western Balkans in tackling COVID-19 and the post-pandemic recovery”.
4. What types of travel are covered by the recommendation?
The Commission is proposing a gradual approach to lifting travel restriction, comprised of three phases.
In phase 0, the current situation, several travel restrictions are in place for non-essential travel. Member States should still allow workers, in particular transport, frontier, posted and seasonal workers, and service providers to cross borders and have unhindered access to their place of work- especially for essential services and passage of goods.
In phase 1, travel restrictions and border controls should be gradually lifted throughout the EU starting between regions, areas and Member States with a positively evolving and sufficiently similar epidemiological situation. During this phase, smooth transit should be facilitated for professional and for personal reasons as well as for tourism.
During phase 2, all coronavirus related restrictions and controls at the internal borders should be lifted, while keeping the necessary health measures in place. Travel for all purposes should be permitted throughout the Union.
Going from Phase 0 which is the current state of play to the next stages should be done in a flexible manner, if necessary taking a step back in case the epidemiological situation worsens.
5. How can I get information about where restrictions are still in place?
Member States should regularly communicate on the state of play of restrictions. This is necessary to ensure that people crossing borders can plan and act on the basis of transparent information and full awareness of the situation, allowing them to take up their individual responsibility in following health recommendations when travelling.
The Commission will support this communication effort by continuing to display publicly on its website the list of internal border controls in place at any given time, as well as links to other relevant information for travellers (on local health situation, health services, applicable health protocols, etc.)
The press release also goes into detail on the protocol of travelling, what is expected by businesses and more.
For countries that will open their boarders most are set on June 15th. Read more by clicking on the link Which European countries are open for summer toruism
Workers from the UK will be allowed to enter Greece as of Monday 18th, as Greece lift some of their restrictions however, tourism will follow in June depending on the outcome of the virus.
