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For the time being there will be no general freedom of travel within Europe. EU countries could not agree on generally applicable guidelines for the withdrawal of travel restrictions imposed due to the pandemic. This was announced on Wednesday by Croatian Tourism Minister Gari Cappelli, whose country currently holds the Presidency of the Council of EU countries. On the basis of bilateral agreements between individual countries, summer holidays will hopefully also be possible in other EU countries.
Everything currently depends on the situation in the respective countries: “If the epidemiological situation in two countries is identical or very similar”, the authorities could ensure that travel is possible, said Cappelli following a video conference with his EU colleagues.
Flights to Greece gradually possible from 1 July
Several EU holiday countries have now announced that they will open their borders. Greece’s head of government Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced on Wednesday the start of this year’s tourist season and the opening of hotels for 15 June. According to the announcement, international flights are to resume gradually from July 1. Italy wants to let tourists back into the country and open the airports as of June 3.
Austria wants to open borders with Germany on 15 June
Austria wants to follow at the borders to Germany on 15 June. Vacationers from the Netherlands will be allowed to visit campsites again from 1 July. The German government, for its part, wants to lift its worldwide travel warning in mid-June and replace it with references to individual countries.
Tourism industry strongly affected by Corona crisis
The tourism industry, which accounts for almost ten percent of the EU’s economic output, has been one of the hardest hit by the Corona crisis. Its business has virtually ground to a halt – partly because many member states have made travel impossible due to border controls. Last week, the EU Commission presented plans for a “gradual” opening of borders and recommendations for safety and hygiene measures at holiday destinations and in means of transport.
— Hector Pascua
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