For many of us, the idea of a holiday has never been more appealing. After months of lockdown and the inevitable cancellations of trips a...
For many of us, the idea of a holiday has never been more appealing. After months of lockdown and the inevitable cancellations of trips abroad, some countries are beginning to welcome international visitors back to their shores.
Overseas travel is still a way off for UK residents. Although the Prime Minister announced hopes to reopen hotels, holiday parks and and tourist attractions from 4 July, meaning that staycations could soon be a reality, the Foreign Office warns that Britons should still avoid all non-essential travel. Anyone arriving back into the UK is required to embark on a two-week quarantine period.
However, there are signs of hope from other countries – an indication that life will return to a semblance of normality, from Italy and Greece to Portugal and Iceland. Easyjet plans to resume flights in mid-June, while Ryanair and British Airways will offer holiday-makers flights from July.
We can’t travel abroad yet, but it’s gratifying to know that some of our favourite destinations will be ready with arms wide open when the time comes.
1
Italy
italy, tuscany, san quirico d'orcia, podere belvedere, green hills, olive gardens and small vineyard under rays of morning sun
Anyone craving la dolce vita will be pleased to know that the country will be open to international visitors from 3 June. After this date, which is dependant on whether or not there is a spike in new cases, tourists will not be required to quarantine upon arrival. Restaurants, cafes and bars are gradually opening with social distancing measures still in place. Sicily is encouraging visitors back to the sun-drenched island by reducing accommodation rates from autumn onwards.
2
Iceland
the picturesque sunset over landscapes and waterfalls kirkjufel
The government of Iceland has announced that it expects to start easing restrictions on international arrivals no later than 15 June, while from 15 May some professionals began arriving in the country including scientists, filmmakers and athletes who were eligible for a modified quarantine. The exact details of the revisions will be decided by the government’s multi-sector working group, however it is expected they will give travellers the choice between a test for the virus on arrival or a two-week quarantine.
3
Greece
scenic view of traditional cycladic houses with flowers in foreg
Greece will reopen its doors to international visitors from 15 June. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said visitors will not need to have undertaken a coronavirus test, nor will they have to be quarantined after arrival. The first airport to open will be Athens International Airport, and from July 1, all Greek airports will be open to flights from abroad. Tourism accounts for 20 per cent of Greece’s GDP, so the move will boost employment and the economy.
4
Portugal
Portugal has slowly started opening hotels, bars, nightclubs and restaurants over the past few weeks, but no date has been offered as to when international arrivals are permitted into the country. Beaches will reopen on 6 June and the public will be required to social distance, keeping 1.5 metres apart. Locals can check in advance as to whether their nearest beach has space using a new app which establishes how many people are on beaches at any given time.
5
Belize
Beautiful Belize is currently free of Covid-19, one of only 12 countries in the world that is, thanks to a pioneering in-house tracking, tracing, and reporting platform and a swift government response to the outbreak. The country recorded only 18 cases to date and two deaths. Belize authorities hope to reopen its Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA) on 1 July, pending any further reported cases.
6
Spain
Spain started deescalating its strict lockdown restrictions at the start of May, and hopes to welcome international visitors in June. The Balearic and Canary islands will be the first to open up to tourists and anyone arriving into the country will need to undertake 14 days of mandatory quarantine for anyone arriving in the country. Spanish foreign minister Arancha González Laya insisted such measures were temporary, adding that the quarantine could be replaced by temperature checks and certificates indicating that the traveller is free of the virus.
7
Cyprus
Cyprus' Deputy Tourism Minister Savvas Perdios has confirmed that the island will reopen its airports on 9 June having managed to contain and prevent wide spreading of the virus. It reported one new case this week, bringing total infections to 918. Authorities are still in discussion about whether international arrivals will need to take a Covid-19 test and/or remain in quarantine for a few days at the start of their trip.
Source: zongolinkmultimedia
