Filenews 7 June 2021
In the summer of 2020, amid the pandemic, very few tourists risked travelling outside their countries' borders. A year later, the health crisis is not over, but European countries are organised to welcome tourists, with the application of the European certificate, PCR tests, on-the-spot protective measures.
Spain
According to a report by the employers' organisation Exceltur issued at the end of April, tourism activity this summer is expected to reach 70% compared to the summer of 2019, compared with 30% last year.
Who is allowed in?
As part of a decision taken at European Union level, Spain has decided to allow all vaccinated persons, whatever their country of origin, to enter from today.
Unvaccinated travellers from the European Union will present a negative PCR or antigen test at least 72 hours before their entry and complete a questionnaire.
The British, who hold the largest share of the Spanish tourist market, can already enter Spain. But the country is on the British orange list, so the UK imposes a quarantine on British citizens on their return from Spain, which prevents them from holidaying under the Spanish sun.
Unvaccinated travellers from the US and the majority of third countries outside the EU can only enter Spain for very limited reasons.
China, Japan, South Korea, Thailand and Singapore are the only Asian countries for which Spain allows entry with negative PCR tests.
The protection measures observed on the spot
The mask remains mandatory even outdoors, outside the beach, if the bathers "remain in a designated area and observe the minimum distance of 1.5 meters. However, they should wear a mask if walking on the beach.
Restrictions, particularly on hotels and catering, vary from region to region, as the 17 Spanish regions have full health responsibilities and are constantly amending the regime of protection measures. A curfew no longer applies in the Madrid and Catalonia region, and bars and restaurants are open until 01.00 in the Spanish capital and 24.00 in Catalonia.
Italy
Italy expects 20% more tourists this summer, the Italian Tourism Federation has announced. Italy is expected to welcome 6.7 million foreign tourists this year (+24%), but 65.8 million fewer tourists than in the summer of 2019, when it had exceeded the limit of 100 million tourists.
Who is allowed in?
Travellers from the European Union, Britain and Israel must present a negative molecular test or antigen test 48 hours before arriving in Italy. No quarantine is required, but they must complete a questionnaire.
Travellers from Australia, South Korea, Rwanda, Thailand, Canada and the United States require a negative 72-hour molecular or antigen test and a 10-day quarantine with a new test at its end.
Travellers from Brazil, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are not allowed to enter Italian territory.
The protection measures observed on the spot
The use of a mask is mandatory indoors and outdoors, but there is talk of removing the obligation outdoors from July. There is a curfew from midnight until 05.00 in the yellow (moderate risk) zones.
Restaurants and bars have a limit of four people per table, both inside and outside.
Portugal
British tourists are Portugal's main clientele and the number of bookings and flights, mainly from the UK, has increased significantly since tourism opened on 17 May. However, the large flow of tourists is expected from July. However, Portugal was removed from the British orange list.
Who is allowed in?
All tourists must have a negative PCR test of at least 72 hours.
Travellers from the countries of the European Union, Schengen countries (Lichtenstein, Norway, Iceland and Switzerland) and the United Kingdom are allowed to enter.
Flights from Australia, South Korea, Israel, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, Thailand, China are also allowed.
For other countries, the necessary travel (professional, family, for health reasons...) is allowed.
The protection measures observed on the spot
Tourists should observe social distancing rules and the use of a mask is mandatory. The government has set a set of rules for beaches and public swimming pools. The distance of three metres, for example, should be kept between umbrellas. Information system for filling the beaches is valid with the use of three colours, depending on the number of bathers.
France
In France, the world's leading tourist destination before the pandemic, revenues (57 billion euros in 2019) doubled last year.
Who is allowed in?
For countries designated as 'green' (European zone, Australia, South Korea, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, New Zealand, Singapore), no need movement ratio and negative PCR or antigen tests of at least 72 hours are required only for unvaccinated individuals.
Countries designated as 'orange' , such as the USA and the UK, require a PCR or antigen test if the traveller is vaccinated, otherwise a reason for need for travel , negative test and 7-day quarantine is required.
For countries designated as 'red', among them South Africa, Brazil or Turkey, there is a need for movement.
The protection measures observed on the spot
The mask is mandatory outdoors, at least until the end of June. The measure can then be lifted in some areas.
The curfew will apply from 9 June from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. and will be lifted completely from 30 June if conditions permit.
From 9 June the interiors of restaurants and bars are also open, with 50% of the tables available with a maximum of six people per table.
United Kingdom
Who is allowed in?
The UK is almost closed to foreign tourists because of strict border restrictions on arrivals. Most countries (mainly European ones) require quarantine and expensive tests. For some countries such as South America, India, Turkey... quarantine is required at a hotel cost 2,000 euros.
There are few countries that have been designated as "green" that are excluded from the quarantine measure. Portugal, the only European country that had been included, was removed.
The British tourism economy is focusing on British tourists who are encouraged to stay in their country this summer.
The protection measures observed on the spot
Much of the restrictive measures have been lifted, while the latter (restriction of concentrations, serving standing in bars and discotheques) were due to be lifted on 21 June, which has been left behind due to the increase in cases of the Indian (Delta) variant of the virus and the calls of experts to the government to maintain them.
Source: RES
