Wear a mask everywhere, travel firms urge tourists
HOLIDAYMAKERS should wear masks while travelling, in hotels and even on beaches, a coalition of the world’s biggest travel companies is urging.
As part of a ‘new normal’ for holidays, the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) is advising tourists to wear masks at virtually all times, wherever they are, to prevent a second wave of coronavirus.
Tourists should even have face coverings on by the pool and on beaches where they cannot keep a two-metre gap between their fellow sunbathers, the council says.
Airports, hotels, nightclubs, museums, gyms and all other ‘indoor venues’, including public areas on cruise ships, should also have mandatory maskwearing rules in force until a vaccine is found, it recommends.
The stark new guidelines come as the Government here is preparing to announce a new system of ‘air bridges’ that will allow flights, in the near future, between Ireland and other countries with low levels of the coronavirus.
The WTTC is concerned that varying Covid-19 rules around the world could lead to confusion among holidaymakers, while putting travel and tourism workers at risk of infection. Its advice is significant because the WTTC includes some of the biggest names in travel, such as Hilton, Marriott, Tui, Expedia, Carnival Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Amex Global Travel and Google.
The organisation said its recpower
€100 fine for not wearing a mask
ommendations had been informed by medical experts from Harvard University in the US. Currently, the advice from the NPHET remains that people should avoid non-essential international travel.
However, many Irish are taking their chances by going on holidays after flights abroad resumed some weeks ago.
The WTTC has warned travellers to expect restrictions in destination countries, including temperature checks on arrival. On the Balearic Islands – which are braced for an influx of thousands of British sunseekers this weekend as travel restrictions for UK travellers are lifted – police have the to fine people €100 if they fail to wear coverings.
But officials confirmed last night that holidaymakers will not have to wear the masks by pools or on beaches in Majorca and Ibiza. Tourists will also not have to wear a face covering in restaurants and bars.
Spanish authorities are concerned the mass arrival of tourists could lead to a spike in Covid cases on the Balearics, which have some of the lowest rates of infection in Spain.
In recent days, police have shut down a series of illegal parties in Majorca and Ibiza where large numbers of tourists have gathered with no masks and no social distancing. WTTC president Gloria Guevara said: ‘The safety and hygiene of travellers and those who work in travel and tourism are of paramount importance which is why we now strongly recommend masks being mandatory. The wearing of masks should not be politicised. Wearing a mask needs to become part of everyday life to ensure everyone enjoys travelling in safety until a vaccine for Covid-19 is found.
‘We implore the private sector and global governments to encourage their use.’