Sunday Dec 22, 2024
Sunday Dec 22, 2024
Thursday, 1 July 2021 00:28 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
PARIS (AFP): An EU-wide COVID travel certificate coming into force on Thursday, and easier travel for the rest of the world, are fanning hopes that European tourism will slowly emerge from its worst period in living memory.
The summer of 2020 saw a sharp downturn in cross-border travel, leaving the continent’s beaches, cities and monuments – many of them top global destinations – eerily deserted.
Lockdowns, curfews and hotel and restaurant closures threatened the industry’s livelihood and frustrated travellers eager for a change of scenery.
This year is to be different: COVID-19 is still far from defeated – especially after the arrival of the virulent delta variant – but virus testing is widely available, EU countries’ vaccination rollout has gathered pace and the EU ‘travel pass’ is to speed up processing at arrival points.
Access for tourists from some countries outside the bloc has become easier, but others continue to face draconian restrictions as governments try to avert a dreaded fourth coronavirus wave while throwing tourism a lifeline.
France, the world’s top tourist destination, uses a colour-coded map laying out entry protocols, with EU residents who are vaccinated or have a negative PCR test able to enter freely.
The same goes for a number of ‘green’ countries, including the United States, Australia, South Korea, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, New Zealand and Singapore.
Visitors from ‘orange’ zones which include Britain and most of Asia and Africa, have to produce a recent negative COVID test even when vaccinated.
For non-vaccinated people coming from ‘orange’ zones, however, only essential trips are allowed, and a seven-day self-quarantine imposed.
Just over 20 countries remain largely off-limits, including India, South Africa and much of South America, including Brazil.
Mask-wearing remains mandatory indoors, but curfew rules have been lifted.
