Montenegro becomes the first European Union country to declare itself free of the virus after 20 days without a confirmed case. Sarajevo Times reports that to date, the nation’s strategy to continue minimizing coronavirus risk has involved gradually loosening restrictions, with safety measures remaining in place, such as a ban on public gatherings. Everyone is still required to wear masks in all public enclosed spaces such as shops or banks and to comply with social distancing guidelines.
Montenegro had few cases. Its first case was on 17 March, and since then 324 persons were confirmed by PCR tests, 315 recovered and nine died.
Now Montenegro authorities say they will allow tourists only from countries that have low-infection rates, naming Greece, Croatia, Slovenia, Germany and Albania.
That an asymptomatic tourist might bring the virus from abroad and cause a new spike is still one of the main concerns regarding the restoration of tourism activities.
Meanwhile, the world will be watching as Portugal opens on 6 June to international travel. The robust health care system in that country gives confidence. “Portugal’s health system responds well, and this is very important for us to be able to welcome people,” Foreign Minister August Santos Silva said, as picked up by Reuters.
Italy is likewise opening on 3 June for travel. But country authorities are closely monitoring the situation to open as soon as possible to invigorate the economy, probably as soon as the EU borders reopen. Italy will be admitting only European tourists at the outset. International visitors must wait for a later date to pack their bags for Italy, still in time for summer travel.
Greece has announced it is authorizing hotels to host local tourists and those from 20 countries without tests or quarantine on 15 June 2020. International flights will allow visitors from 1 July.
Spain is suspending quarantine for foreigners starting 1 July.
The United Kingdom has been looking at 4 July for the reopening of hotels, holiday parks and tourist attractions.
Regardless, travel will be nowhere what it was. Health protocols, new technologies, facial masks, hand-washing, and social distancing, limited gatherings will be the norm for months to come creating a totally new semblance to what it means to be a tourist.
Number of cases and deaths as of 24 May 2020:
United Kingdom – 262,547, 36,996 deaths
Spain – 235,400, 26,834 deaths
Italy 230,158, 32,877 deaths
Germany 180,595, 8,309
Portugal 30,788, 1,330 deaths
Greece 2,882, 172 deaths
Croatia 2,244, 100
Slovenia 1,469, 107 deaths
Albania 1,004, 32 deaths[KR4]
Read more:
Neoskosmos
El Pais
El Pais
Sarajevo Times
Skift
NBC News
BBC
Daily Record UK
Reuters
26 May 2020