Wear a mask everywhere, travel bosses urge tourists
HOLIDAYMAKERS should wear masks while travelling, in hotels and even on beaches, a coalition of the world’s biggest travel companies will say today.
As part of a ‘new normal’ for holidays, the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) is urging 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 mask-wearing rules in force until a vaccine is found, it recommends.
The stark new guidelines come as thousands of Britons jet off today – the first day of the Government’s travel corridor scheme.
The WTTC is concerned that varying coronavirus 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, including Hilton, Marriott, Tui, Expedia, Carnival Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Amex Global Travel and Google.
The organisation said its recommendations had been
£90 fine for not wearing a mask
informed by medical experts from Harvard University.
As of today, Scottish holidaymakers are allowed to visit 57 countries and 14 British territories without having to enter a two-week quarantine on their return. But travellers have been warned to expect restrictions in destination countries, including temperature checks on arrival.
On the Balearic Islands – which are braced for the arrival of thousands of English sunseekers this weekend – police have been given the power to fine holidaymakers £90 if they fail to wear coverings outside their hotel rooms.
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 if they are seated to eat or drink.
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 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.’
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