EU looking to reopen internal borders for summer tourist season

The European Union on Wednesday pushed to reopen internal borders and restart travel within the 27-country bloc in time for the summer tourism season.

But the prospects of reviving tourism before summer were mixed as public fears over the coronavirus pandemic could prevent a premature return to business as usual.

With the tourism sector, which usually accounts for about 10 percent of the bloc’s economy, decimated by the pandemic, the EU’s executive Commission urged a return to “unrestricted free movement,” but with safety measures such as face masks on airplanes.

“Our thoughts are now turning toward summer and to the places that we love to travel,” said Margrethe Vestager, a commission deputy.

“That means taking gradual, careful steps to help travel restart in line with what science tells us.”

Tourism industry groups praised the recommendations as a first step to help save their businesses, but the commission’s proposals are non-binding on the 27 EU members.

The recommendation also said Europe’s external borders should remain closed to foreign tourists for most travel at least until mid-June.

Nations that have experienced some of the world’s worst outbreaks appear in no hurry to let in large numbers of visitors.

Two Spanish foreign ministry sources told Reuters that Spain plans to keep its borders closed to most travelers from abroad until July, and many Europeans have already canceled plans to travel within the bloc.

“We were all set to take the kids to Spain and Italy this summer. But not now, it’s too risky even if it is allowed,” Jean-Paul, a 57-year-old Frenchman who has frozen hotel reservations he now hopes to use in 2021, told the news service.

“For now, we’ll stay close to home and just enjoy some cycling, walking and fishing instead.”

Europe’s museums, beaches and plazas have been virtually empty since mid-March under a near-blanket travel halt that has destroyed jobs, slammed the airline and hospitality sectors and undermined Europe’s principle of free movement in a bid to contain the virus.

Under the commission’s proposals, airlines and airports would insist passengers wear masks, and reorganize check-ins, drop-offs and luggage pickups to avoid crowds.

They would not require that middle seats be left empty on planes, a measure some airlines say would make profitable flying impossible.

The commission said people should be able to stay in hotels, eat in restaurants or go to beaches — though it stressed the situation would have to be monitored to prevent a new surge in infections.

“This looks like good news,” said Toni Mayor, president of a hotels association in Spain’s Valencia region.

“If this combines with less pressure from the virus, as it seems, … we might just be able to half-save the summer season.”

European governments are pressing ahead with their own plans to reopen at different speeds, depending on national circumstances, and some are promoting domestic tourism.

But some of the biggest tourist destinations are in the hardest-hit countries, like Italy, Spain and France, which are opening up more slowly.

With Reuters