(TAN): Europe’s peak tourism season is around the corner. It is during summer when tourists from all over the world flock to well-known destinations across the continent for a stint of adventure. This year, though, things might be different.
The global tourism sector suffered massive losses since the start of COVID-19 – while countries shut their borders to the rest of the world, travel restrictions were imposed everywhere, paralysing aviation, lodging, and several other industries associated with the travel sector.
Europe too was hit, its economies were in danger with Italy, Spain, France and the United Kingdom reporting huge numbers of cases and deaths caused by the pandemic. After over two months of staying locked up, some of the European nations are beginning to reopen their borders and ease travel restrictions, although tight measures are being put in place to keep an eye on the pandemic.
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Presence of COVID-19 and the controls designed around it could ensure that this summer is not like any other we have experienced so far, which is something that holidaymakers looking for a good time in Europe might want to bear in mind.
Nationals of countries from within Europe will be able to enter
Although some European countries are already allowing travellers to enter, several others will be reopening for nonessential travel around mid-June, primarily to countries within the continent and the Schengen area.
The Netherlands will initially open to visitors from 12 countries in the region that have controlled the spread of COVID-19. Travellers from Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Estonia, Italy, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Portugal, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic will be able to enter the Netherlands for nonessential purposes starting June 15.
“The Netherlands’ policies to control coronavirus have led to encouraging results, which is why the country is carefully moving to re-open its borders. Initially, borders will be open only to tourists from 12 European Union countries,” the Dutch government announced.
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In the next phase, spanning between mid-June and July 6, the nation will allow tourists from 16 more countries to enter for a vacation. However, citizens of Denmark, Sweden and the United Kingdom will still not be permitted. Only international visitors from countries with health risks “similar to or lower than in the Netherlands” will be able to enter the Netherlands, the authorities said.
Germany decided to lift travel restrictions for the European Union and Schengen Area states, along with the United Kingdom starting June 15.
“The travel warning for the member states of the European Union, for Schengen-associated states and for the United Kingdom should be lifted from June 15 and replaced by individual travel advice,” Germany said.
Austria will welcome citizens from neighbouring countries, barring that of Italy, from June 14. Austrian authorities said the entry ban on anybody travelling from Italy was important because of the infection rate there.
Meanwhile, Italy reopened its borders to tourists from the European Union and Schengen Area three months after the country went into an absolute lockdown. It also lifted the 14-day quarantine requirement for visitors arriving from most of Europe.
One of the hardest hit countries, Italy had reportedly imposed Europe’s severest and one of the world’s strictest lockdowns. The country reopened to tourists despite being criticised for a “premature” opening as it hopes to take advantage of the season to revive its tourism industry. The sector accounts for 13% of Italy’s Gross Domestic Product.
“We’re facing a calculated risk in the knowledge that the contagion curve may rise again. We have to accept it otherwise we will never be able to start up again,” Italy’s Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte was quoted by People as saying.
Increasing number of countries are asking visitors for COVID-19 negative test results
Visitors seeking entry from Austria’s bordering countries are required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test or quarantine themselves for 14 days.
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“In addition, a negative molecular biological test for SARS-CoV-2 that is not older than four days must be shown, or a 14-day self-monitored home quarantine must be started. If a test is performed during quarantine and the test is negative, quarantine can be ended prematurely,” the country’s interior ministry said.
Switzerland could do away with all entry restrictions, including a mandatory isolation, for countries in the European Union in mid-June. However, a medical examination including temperature reading, a health questionnaire or quarantine for everyone from a high-risk country listed in the COVID-19 Ordinance could be introduced. Other health measures could include a COVID-19 test.
Upon presentation of negative results of an RT-PCR test for COVID- 19 not older than four days, travellers arriving in Slovakia can evade quarantine in government facilities.
The Netherlands will require tourists to observe the measures laid down by the country to fight COVID-19 during the stint of their visit. Visitors must also book their accommodation ahead of their visit – failure to show proper proof of reservation may result in being stopped to enter the country.
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While the Netherlands will not allow people from outside Europe to enter except for essential travel, the country also directed visitors from high-risk regions both within and outside Europe to show proof of complete health screening and quarantine themselves for a fortnight.
“Travellers from high-risk areas within or outside Europe must also produce a completed health screening form, and are strongly urged to self-quarantine for 14 days,” the administration said.
Slovenia will allow visitors to enter the country if they present a negative test result on SARS-CoV-2 that is not older than three days. However, only those who can prove they will return from the country on the same day or has a house in Slovenia will be considered, a report said.
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