Good news! Europe is finally starting to lift the ban!

Over the past year, the COVID-19 pandemic has been raging around the world, with European countries experiencing varying degrees of epidemic rebounds. The repeatedly extended epidemic blockade has caused people to suffer "internal injuries".

Recently, the COVID-19 vaccination work has begun to show results, and the infection rates in European countries have steadily declined. The German government and people are optimistic about the epidemic situation this summer.

Europe is finally starting to lift the ban: according to the proposal of the European Commission, after more than a year of strict entry bans, third-country citizens will soon be able to visit EU countries again without any reason.

01

Germany partially relaxes epidemic prevention restrictions

German COVID-19 data has been showing a slow downward trend for several consecutive days. Bavarian Governor Söder announced the relaxation of some epidemic prevention restrictions after the state cabinet meeting.

According to reports, after Bavaria and Lower Saxony announced "relaxation" measures, many German states also followed suit, planning to lift the blockade restrictions on the catering and hotel industry in areas with stable epidemics and low infection rates, and allow outdoor restaurants, bars and hotels to resume business starting from the Pentecost (21st) holiday.

The German capital of Berlin announced that it would lift the curfew and relax shopping restrictions from May 19. If the new confirmed rate per 100,000 people in the region is less than 100 for three consecutive days within 7 days, dining out will be allowed from May 21. The confirmed rate in Berlin is 94 per 100,000 people.

German Health Minister Jens Spahn encouraged state governments to continue to relax epidemic prevention restrictions, especially for outdoor activities. But he also warned that if the confirmed rate rises again, restrictions will be imposed again.

02

Italy opens its borders to tourists from some countries

Italy officially opened its borders to tourists from some countries on the 16th. Earlier this month, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi announced that Italy would begin to open to tourists from all over the world after the middle of this month.

Starting from the 19th, the country will postpone the start time of the curfew to 23:00, and from June 7 to 24:00, and the curfew will be lifted from June 21. In addition, shopping malls will be allowed to open on weekends from May 22, and catering institutions will be allowed to resume indoor reception from June 1.

Italian Tourism Minister Massimo Galavaglia said that from mid-June, vaccinated tourists will be able to travel freely in Europe, and the green pass will be fully open.

According to sources from the Italian Ministry of Tourism, there are three situations for obtaining a green pass: vaccination with an EU-approved vaccine; recovery after infection with the new crown; and a negative test report within 48 hours before travel.

03

France carries out the second phase of "unblocking" as scheduled

France will start the second phase of "unblocking" from May 19, when the terraces of restaurants and cafes will also be reopened.

French Health Minister Veran said that the epidemic situation in France has improved, but the new coronavirus is still spreading at a high level in France, and the average daily number of newly confirmed cases remains at around 18,000, so it is necessary for people to continue to remain highly vigilant.

Veran said that this week will usher in a new holiday, and the authorities will strengthen the detection of the new coronavirus, and the public should also actively accept the test. He pointed out that this is a critical period for epidemic prevention and the public should take responsibility.

04

The UK further "unblocks" amid concerns

According to the latest regulations of the British government, starting from the 17th, the maximum number of people for outdoor gatherings can reach 30, and two families or 6 people are allowed to gather indoors. Relatives and friends can hug again.

At the same time, families who do not live in the same "social bubble" or are not in the same "social bubble" are allowed to spend the night together. The maximum number of people attending weddings, receptions, funerals and wakes is 30. In addition, bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues such as cinemas, theaters, and museums are also allowed to open some indoor operations; hotels and sports venues that provide indoor group sports and fitness courses are also allowed to reopen.

People can "cross-border vacation" and go to individual countries with low epidemic risks.

British media reported that on the 17th, the number of people going to the airport increased significantly, and a large number of tourists flocked to Portugal. Portugal is one of the 12 destinations on the UK's "travel green list" and the only EU country on the list.

05

Portugal relaxes entry regulations for many countries

The Portuguese government announced that from May 17, it will relax entry regulations for travelers from most EU countries/regions.

The country's Ministry of the Interior said that tourists from EU countries with an incidence rate of less than 500 are allowed to enter Portugal, but all travelers over the age of two must present a negative nucleic acid test (PCR) result within 72 hours upon arrival. If an airline brings vacationers who have not passed a valid PCR test to Portugal, each passenger will face a fine of up to 2,000 euros.

06

Greece officially opens to tourists

Greece officially opened to tourists last Saturday in an effort to use the tourist season to restore the tourism industry hit hard by the new crown epidemic. However, in view of the high rate of new crown infections on Kalymnos Island, the Greek government extended the blockade of the island for one week that day.

Reuters reported that Greece allowed foreign tourists with proof of vaccination or negative nucleic acid test to enter from last Saturday. After months of blockade restrictions, Greece opened museums this week.

More and more countries are continuing to unblock...