At last, air bridges to Europe as Eiffel Tower reopens (sort of )
SUN-SEEKERS will be able to travel to popular european destinations from July 4 if ministers agree ‘travel corridors’ to key countries today.
The Government’s coronavirus committee, led by Michael Gove, will meet this afternoon to decide which countries will have the 14-day quarantine restrictions lifted.
The list will reportedly include ‘ the main Mediterranean destinations’, with France, Spain, Italy and Greece all expected to make the cut. Other countries with low infection rates, such as Latvia, Slovakia and Croatia, could also be included. Portugal may not be added as there have been a spike in cases in the capital Lisbon. And Sweden is unlikely to be cleared because of concerns about high levels of infection.
The Foreign Office is expected to ease advice next week which warns against ‘all but essential travel’, making it impossible for holidaymakers to get insurance. The new moves means travellers should be able to book holidays from July 4.
The controversial quarantine rule – where visitors entering the uk must selfisolate for 14 days – was introduced this month. But the scheme will be partially dismantled next week to allow travel corridors in which reciprocal agreements
‘I’m tearing up, it’s an emotional moment’
mean that travellers will not have to ison isolate at either end of their journey.
It comes as the eiffel Tower reopened yesterday amid warnings from the World Health Organisation that europe has seen a resurgence e in coronavirus cases since countries s began easing lockdowns.
Some 30 countries who have lifted d restrictions have seen cases rise in n the last fortnight.
‘Last week, europe saw an increase e in weekly cases for the first time in months,’ the WHO’s regional director or Hans kluge said yesterday.
He added: ‘In 11 countries, accelerated ernt transmission has led to significant resurgence that if left unchecked will push health systems to the brink.’
Germany is one country that has suffered ufy, a major setback. On Tuesday, it reimposed lockdowns on more than han 600,000 people after an outbreak at a slaughterhouse infected 1,500 workers. ers.
Other countries seeing rises include ude Poland, Denmark and the Czech ech Republic, which was the first european pean country to come out of lockdown.
The head of the WHO, Tedros Adhthat Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said last night that he expects the number of global infections nfec- to reach 10 million next week and the number of deaths to hit 500,000.
But Mr kluge said europe has a decreasing proportion of global cases than earlier in the year, as the virus hits the Americas. The uS saw its highest number of daily cases on Wednesday, with nearly 37,000 recorded. europe continues to report close to 20,000 new cases daily.
In France, France tourists and an Parisians gathered at the eiffel Tower as it reopened. Around 50 people were there to the climb the 674 steps to the first two levels, as elevators and the top deck remain closed.
‘I’m tearing up but they’re tears of joy. It’s an emotional moment after these difficult months,’ said Therese, visiting from the southern city of Perpignan. Patrick
Branco Ruivo, of the company that runs the tower, said the top would reopen on July 15 with limited numbers. The eiffel Tower receives seven million visitors per year with three-quarters from abroad.
France lifted border restrictions on June 15 and the tourism industry hopes foreign visitors will soon return as the summer season kicks off.