EU to reopen borders to allow holidays ‘as a matter of priority’

The European Union are urging their member states to reopen borders and drop travel bans to restart economy by allowing tourism to resume.

On Wednesday, the EU Commission said on Wednesday that plane journeys should be restarted “as a matter or priority.

However, tourists from outside the Europe will not be allowed travel until at lest 15 June, depending on whether there will be a second peak.

The EU’s economic commissioner Paolo Gentiloni insisted ahead of the announcement, “We will have a summer tourist season, but with security measures.”

Measures will be introduced such as wearing face masks, maintaining social distancing and limiting passenger numbers.

The continent are heading in to a certain recession and the tourism industry is worth around £130bn, and the EU Commissioners can give guidance, as it is up to the individual countries to decide.

The European Commission executive vice-president Margrethe Vestager said, “This is not going to be a normal summer, not for any of us.

“But when we all work together, and we all do our part… then we don’t have to face a summer stuck at home or a complete lost summer for the European tourist industry.”

However, Matt Hancock has warned Brits on Tuesday, it is “unlikely” there will be any foreign holidays this summer, despite Ryanair to resume some flights from 1 July.

Asked whether “summer was cancelled,” Hancock told ITV’s This Morning, “I think that’s likely to be the case.”

He added, “It is unlikely that big, lavish international holidays are going to be possible for this summer.

“I just think that’s a reality of life.”

However, Ryanair announced on Tuesday that they are to resume 40% of their flights.