Summer holidays can be done safely says EU official

Those hoping for a summer holiday on the Continent have been handed a glimmer of hope after a top European politician said she believed it “can be done safely”. European Commission vice president Margrethe Vestager said she hoped Britons could travel abroad for a break. Health Secretary Matt Hancock warned on Tuesday that people were unlikely to be able to go on foreign holidays this summer, despite Ryanair planning to restore 40% of its flights from July.

But the EU this week issued guidance on reopening hotels and beaches for the summer tourist season, and countries like Greece are preparing to allow resorts to welcome foreign visitors in order to prevent a devastating blow to the seasonal economy.

Talks are already underway between European leaders to establish ‘bubbles’ between countries that have suppressed their coronavirus outbreaks to allow tourists to travel. The UK Government

has already reached a reciprocal agreement with France to rule out a 14 quarantine requirement for overseas arrivals that is expected to be applied to other countries later this month.

Asked about the prospect of Britons travelling to Europe for a vacation, Ms Vestager told the BBC’S World At One programme: “I would hope so. “I think that there’s discussion over it at every dinner table in Europe and probably also in the UK.

“We really need a break from this. Can we go as we planned, or will we have to stay within the borders of our home country?

“We think that it can be done safely. And I think it’s a very good sign that Germany said [on Wednesday] that they will open their borders towards France and Austria.” On Tuesday, asked whether “summer was cancelled”, Mr 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.”