Archive for 2020-05-17

Home Archive for 2020-05-17

Qatar Airways has further enhanced its onboard safety measures for passengers and cabin crew.

The airline is implementing several changes, including the introduction of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) suits for cabin crew while onboard, as well as a modified service that reduces interactions between the passengers and the crew inflight.

Cabin crew have already been wearing PPE during flights for a number of weeks, including gloves and face masks.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “At Qatar Airways, we have introduced these additional safety measures onboard our flights to ensure the continued health and wellbeing of our passengers and cabin crew, and to limit the spread of coronavirus. As an airline, we maintain the highest possible hygiene standards to ensure that we can fly people home safely during this time and provide even greater reassurance that safety is our number one priority.”

“Seeing as we are still flying the world’s largest international network by operating flights to more than 30 destinations around the world, and aiming to grow our network again in the coming months, these onboard safety measures will assist us in achieving our goals,” he added.

Cabin crew will wear the PPE suit over their uniforms in addition to safety goggles, gloves and a mask to provide even greater reassurance to customers in addition to enhanced hygienic measures already in place.

As well, starting Monday May 25, Qatar Airways will require passengers to wear facial coverings inflight and urges customers to bring their own to ensure the best possible fit and comfort.

Qatar Airways continues to implement the highest standards of health and safety. Its aircrafts are regularly disinfected using cleaning products recommended by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

The Hamad International Airport in Qatar, the airline’s hub, has also implemented multiple safety protocols to ensure traveller safety through measures such as deploying autonomous disinfectant robots that emit concentrated UV-C light that is known to be successful in removing infectious microorganisms.

The plan to allow direct flights from abroad as of July 1 should not be cause for public concern, Civil Protection Deputy Minister for Crisis Management Nikos Hardalias said on Thursday, as the plan is to reopen Greece to tourism gradually and cautiously after the global pandemic breakout.

“We understand citizens’ concerns about tourism but there must be trust,” he said. “We still have 40 days ahead of us to get ready and to reliably guarantee that all safety standards are met.”

According to the ‘Restart Tourism’ plan unveiled on Wednesday, international flights will resume on June 15 but only from countries that have successfully contained their infections numbers and only to Athens. That will be extended to all the country’s airports by July 1 if the first phase of the reopening goes well.

At the briefing held with Health Ministry spokesperson and infectious diseases expert, Professor Sotiris Tsiodras, Hardalias said several factors would be considered, including what was happening in other countries and which countries would be exempted based on their epidemiological features.

“Random sampling and controls will be thorough and strict wherever necessary, in order to keep the general population safe,” he noted.

Currently, flights are limited to the Athens International Airport, where travellers submit to coronavirus tests and have to follow quarantine protocols. “Absolute numbers (of incoming flights) show a reduction and near-disappearance of incoming infection cases,” Hardalias said.

Between May 13 and 20, for example, 21 flights arrived in Athens with 2,236 passengers, of whom only 1 was found to be positive. In the last 4 days, 3 flights from Germany have arrived with 548 passengers, several as transit travellers through countries with heavy epidemiological loads, but all tests were negative.

Next Monday, May 25, will see the reopening of bars, cafes and restaurants, which will have to implement strict social distancing and hygiene measures to ensure staff and customer safety. The same day, the government will announce whether the primary schools, kindergartens and nursery stations would open on June 1 or not.

Greek Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis on Wednesday presented Greece’s restart plan for the sector after the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, which will see tourists allowed to enter Greece without taking a coronavirus test or remain in quarantine when international flights restart on July 1.

“‘Restart Tourism’ is a comprehensive, coherent and detailed plan to restore Greek tourism to function safely and efficiently for the national economy,” Minister Theoharis said, following a televised address of PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis who announced the the opening of Greek tourism for 2020.

According to the ‘Restart Tourism’ plan, Greece during the tourism season will be able to manage possible Covid-19 cases immediately and on the spot at destinations, while safely welcoming and hosting tourists from abroad.

“It has clearly defined rules, which include protocols for the safe operation of tourism businesses and protocols for the protection of visitors during their travel and transport,” Theoharis said.

Priorities of the the country’s tourism restart plan includes making sure employees and visitors are safe; strengthening health infrastructure in tourism destinations where needed; and supporting tourism businesses.

The Minister presented the following timeframe for Greek tourism’s restart:

Monday, May 25: Yachting restrictions will be lifted
Monday, June 1: Camps, campsites and year-round hotels will open
Monday, June 15: All other accommodation (seasonal hotels and resorts) will open. On the same day, the first stage of lifting restrictions on international flights will take place, with aircraft landing initially only at Athens Airport
Wednesday, July 1: Second stage of lifting restrictions on international flights at all Greek airports.
Wednesday, July 15: Gradual lifting of remaining restrictions

Incoming visitors

According to the minister, from June 15, Greece will allow the entrance of incoming tourists initially from countries chosen based on “epidemiological criteria”. The ministry will release a list of countries from which visitors will be able to arrive in Greece by the end of May. Theoharis did, however, mention Balkan countries (specifically Bulgaria), Cyprus and Israel as examples.

July 1 is the date when all of Greece’s airports are scheduled to begin allowing international flights to land. People from all countries will be allowed to travel to Greece, except from countries that have negative epidemiological criteria. A list of those countries will be released in a timely manner.

No tests or quarantine

Moreover, the minister said that Greece’s incoming tourists will not need to have a coronavirus test prior to travel nor will they be quarantined after arrival.

However, visitors will undergo sample tests when deemed required.

Health protocols

Theoharis said that Greek tourism’s restart plan provides specific health protocols for Greece’s hotels, tour buses, car leasing companies, ferries, airlines (health rules on board flights and in airports) and checks at entrance gates (questionnaires and sample tests). They health protocols will be announced once voted in parliament.

The plan also sees to enhance the health capacity especially of the country’s smaller islands by providing tests and more doctors as well as quarantine areas.

Also, the minister said that frequent health checks will be carried out to all businesses. All of the country’s tourism businesses will display the special seal “Health First”.

Supporting entrepreneurship

Referring to supporting tourism businesses, the minister announced the following:
Tourism businesses will be able to extend the suspension of employment contracts until July 2020.
Tourism businesses are eligible for reduced lease payments by 40% until August.
Employees will be supported until September with funds from the EU’s “SURE” program.
The government will provide support to seasonal tourism employees.
The government will regulate repayable advances to relieve businesses.
Tourism businesses are eligible for a reduction of advance income tax payments.
VAT cuts on transport, coffee, non-alcoholic beverages and package travel
Businesses will receive financing through the ‘Entrepreneurship Fund II- TEPIX II’ in combination with the Guarantee Fund and the Development Bank.

Domestic tourism

Greek tourism’s restart also includes plans to boost domestic tourism, aiming to attract more Greeks to destinations and tourism enterprises for the 2020 season.

“Domestic tourism is, for many reasons, important at this time, regardless that it does not contribute to foreign exchange receipts,” Theoharis said.

According to the minister, an advertising campaign will soon launch, while the social tourism holiday program by the Greek Manpower Employment Organization (OAED) will be strengthened.

A second Greek social tourism holiday program, known as “Tourism for All”, will be financed with 30 million euros and provide e-vouchers worth 120 euros to each eligible holidaymaker for a 4-night (minimum) stay at a Greek hotel. Beneficiaries of the program are estimated at around 250,000 Greeks.

Moreover, corporate holiday travel vouchers worth 300 euros will also be made available for private sector employees.

Theoharis said that domestic tourism this year is expected to secure at least 1 million overnight stays in the country’s hotels.

Promotional actions

In regards to promotional actions, the minister mentioned a budget of 23 million euros that will include targeted advertising campaigns in the markets Greece will open to. Also, promotional plans also include the launch of a brand campaign, co-advertising deals and agreements with leading tour operators.

Theoharis said that through specially designed campaigns to promote Greece as an international destination – as a country that is able to “absolutely guarantee” safe holidays for all its visitors – holidaymakers will be endured of Greece’s safety.

Chateau de Chenonceau - Wonder of the Loire Valley or Ladies' Château

The Chateau de Chenonceau spans the River Cher.

Designed and owned by women only, Chenonceau is therefore also known as the Château des Dames - Ladies' Château.

Its architecture is a perfect combination of elegance, beauty and refinement that turn it into a superb illustration of French Renaissance.

French call it La Merveille du Val-de-Loire – the Wonder of the Loire Valley.

Tour Marques and castle

Grande Galerie

The Ladies of Chenonceau

Catherine Briçonnet

In the early 16th century, the Chateau de Chenonceau was not more than a fortified manor-house and its watermill.

Thomas Bohier bought the two buildings, which had fallen into an advanced state of disrepair, from the Lord of Marques.

Thomas Bohier's wife, Catherine Briçonnet, commissioned the construction of the pavilion with four corner towers on the foundations of the mill.

The ruined buildings were pulled down except for the well and the tower.

The Marques Tower was restored during the Renaissance.

The well is still adorned with the coat of arms of the Marques family, a chimera and an eagle.

The courtyard, enclosed by a moat, is located on the site of the old fortress.

Catherine added a feminine touch to the plans by focusing on comfort and luxury.

The monumental entrance is a masterpiece of the Renaissance.

It is also adorned with the coat of arms of Thomas and Catherine Bohier and is crowned by a salamander, the emblem of François I.

Catherine commissioned also the construction of the first straight staircase ever built in France.

However, in 1535 their penniless son sold Chenonceau to King François I who turned it into a hunting lodge.

Diane de Poitiers

François I's son, Henri II gave the Chateau de Chenonceau to his young mistress Diane of Poitiers.

A woman of talent and intelligence, Diane brilliantly took care of Chenonceau.

She indeed developed the vineyard and the farm and transformed them into a profitable business.

A woman of taste and luxury, she embellished the château, added the formal gardens and built a bridge across the River Cher.

The king was killed in a tournament in 1559.

Gardens

Grande Galerie

Catherine de Medici

His widow, Catherine of Medici, knew how much Diane was fond of the Chateau de Chenonceau.

She therefore spitefully exiled her to the Château de Chaumont sur Loire!

However, Diane chose to retire to the Château d'Anet, another present from the late king.

Catherine of Medici re-landscaped the park and added new buildings.

But above all, we owe her the famous Italian Renaissance style two-storey gallery that tops the bridge built by Diane.
A woman of pleasure and luxury, the queen organized numerous soirees, balls, banquets and fireworks which gave an air of pomp to Chenonceau.

Louise de Lorraine

The castle became a place filled with grief when Marie gave the Chateau de Chenonceau to her stepdaughter.

Louise de Lorraine indeed retired to Chenonceau after the assassination of her husband Henri III.

She also became known as the Reine Blanche - White Queen because she wore white clothes and had the ceilings repainted in white in sign of mourning.

Chambre des Cinq Reines

Françoise de Lorraine

When she died, her niece Françoise de Lorraine inherited Chenonceau, which was later acquired by the Farmer General Dupin.

Madame Dupin

His wife, Madame Dupin, took over the property; she founded a salon frequented by the most brilliant minds of the era.

Kept in high esteem by the villagers because of her charity work, Madame Dupin saved the Chateau de Chenonceau from demolition during the French Revolution.

Madame Pelouze

Madame Pelouze fell in love with the chateau and purchased it in 1864.

She spent a fortune restoring it to its former glory.

She removed the caryatids statues that framed the facade's windows and placed them in the park.

Tour Marques

Renaissance entrance door

Tour Marques

Chateau de Chenonceau

The elegant proportions and the gallery that spans the Cher are the castle's most photographed features!

Each year, they indeed attract thousands visitors from all around the world.

The interior decorations and furnishing boast the same elegance, refinement and luxury that the outside.

The Guard-room is decorated with a 16th century fireplace and magnificent Flemish tapestries.

The chapel's original stained glass windows were destroyed during WWII but were replaced in 1954.

Diane's Bedchamber is a gateway into the world of the favourite of Henri II.

Elegantly decorated with 16th century Flemish tapestries, the room is dedicated to the archives of the château.

Copies of the signatures of Diane and Bohier are also displayed in a glass cabinet.

The Library and the Bureau Vert exhibit more paintings and tapestries.

Francois I's Bedchamber is richly decorated.

It exhibits an impressive collection of paintings, furniture from the 15th and 16th centuries and a striking Renaissance fireplace with a mantle engraved with the motto of Thomas Bohier.

The impressive straight staircase climbs to the Five Queens' Bedroom (Catherine of Medici's two daughters and three daughters-in-law).

This room is decorated with Flemish tapestries and paintings by Rubens and Mignard.

Finally, the staircase serves also the bedrooms of Catherine of Medici, César de Vendôme, Gabrielle d'Estrées and Françoise de Lorraine.

Tour Marques and castle

Grande Galerie

The 60m long two-storey gallery that spans the Cher is known as Grande Galerie.

It was converted in a hospital during WWI and was used as a symbolic boundary between Free France and Occupied France during WWII.

A Wax Museum, open all year round, relates the story of the famous inhabitants of Chenonceau.

The Chateau de Chenonceau is today the property of the Miller family.

Here is a brief overview of the Loire Valley architectural styles.

Most castles were built between the late 15th century and 17th century.

They therefore are mostly Renaissance and Classical, however, many have retained Gothic features.

Most monastic buildings were pulled down at the French Revolution, but many churches escaped destruction as they were converted in barns.

Gothic architecture was locally adapted and gave rise to style unique to the region, Gothique Plantagenêt or Angevin style.

Here are a few basic facts to help you discover these styles' basic characteristics, without going into boring descriptions.

Romanesque

Loire Valley architectural styles - Romanesque

Romanesque appeared in the second half of the 10th century.

It reached its peak during the 12th century, when the monasteries were founded and the majestic cathedrals built.

Romanesque style expresses the 'Sacred' in a functional manner, based on harmony and balance.

Created in order to avoid structural fires so frequent at that time, it therefore introduced the systematic use of stone arches with buttressing.

Sculptures were kept to a minimum and placed at focal points.

Wide walkways and a large ambulatory facilitated large crowd movements.

Romanesque churches were, however, of human dimensions.

They were mostly built in the countryside and attached to a monastery.

Gothic

Loire Valley architectural styles - Gothic

Gothic lasted from the 12th to the 15th century.

Eight Crusades took place from 1096 to 1270 at the instigation of the Church of Rome in order to defend Christianity in the Middle East.

Crusaders returned with the rudiments of a new culture, which influenced the transition from Romanesque to Gothic.

Impressed by the sumptuous Arabic palaces, they indeed introduced the concepts of art and comfort.

They improved their dark castles with hanging tapestries tapestries, furnished them with elegant furniture and opened large windows to let light pour into their vast halls.

The advent of Gothic religious architecture resulted in the edification of the great cathedrals.

Columns with carved capitals supported the arches.

Ribbed vaults, externally reinforced by flying-buttresses, transferred the weight on the media angle.

Freed from the extra weight, the walls could therefore be pierced with numerous large windows that let the light pour into the building.

Towers and high spires projected their slender silhouette towards the sky, the symbol of the elevation of the human soul to God.

Gothic churches are often of gigantic dimensions because they were built in order to accommodate a growing population.

Some replaced the old Romanesque churches, but most were built in villages or cities.

Flamboyant also known as Era of Stonework Lace

Gothic

Loire Valley architectural styles - Angevin or Plantagenêt Gothic

Anjou developed his own version of the Gothic style in the late 12th century.

The Angevin or Plantagenêt Gothic style lasted for a century.

The major peculiarity of this transitional style are the vaults' keystones placed 3m above the supporting arches.
Loire Valley architectural styles - Flamboyant or High Gothic

The 15th century was 'the' High Gothic or Flamboyant century!

More colourful stained glass windows and rosettes opened the walls.

It also dropped the use of capitals, as the arches descended directly into the columns, thus creating an effect of continuity.

These were lavishly decorated with elaborate flame-shaped sculptures, hence its name, as Flamboyant means blazing.

The exuberant and lavish Flamboyant period is also known as the Era of Stonework Lace.

Early Renaissance

French Renaissance

Loire Valley architectural styles - French Renaissance

Until the 15th century books were handwritten, therefore very expensive.

The invention of printing in 1450 made them affordable to a wider audience.

The Greek scholars, driven from Constantinople by the Turks in 1453, found refuge in the Italian courts.

Once there, they re-introduced the ancient Greek and Roman cultures.

This period of re-invention became known as Rebirth or Renaissance.

Charles VII, Louis XII and François I were the protagonists of the French Renaissance.

Indeed, they were so impressed by Italian culture during their various military expeditions in the years 1480 to 1515, that they brought it back to France!

The kings and their vassals invited the best Italian artists to come and work for them.

Elegant palaces soon replaced their old castles; times were indeed safe so there was no more need for massive, dark and cold fortresses.

Men of the 16th century were on a quest for absolute harmony, beauty, light, space, comfort, leisure and luxury!

Medallions and low reliefs therefore adorned the facades of their palaces, and large windows flanked with pilasters open them.

Dormer-windows and carved chimneys decorated the pointed roofs.

Italian staircases, one of the most stunning architectural features of the Renaissance, appeared.

Renaissance castles were not always built on a promontory, but often at the edge of a lake and elegantly blended with their environment.

Their gardens reflected the taste for nature tamed by man.

They indeed made great use of flower beds edged with boxwood (Jardin à la Française) as well as ponds, sculptured fountains and statues.

The French kings built Amboise, Chambord with its double-helix staircase and Blois ... the great lords built Azay-le-Rideau and its amazing straight boxed-ceiling staircase and Chenonceau...

Classical

Loire Valley architectural styles - Classical

Antiquity fully inspired this style which sprawled on the 17th and 18th centuries.

Classical is defined by the elegance, majesty, sobriety, symmetry, balance and purity of form!

It indeed make great use of the three Greek architectural orders, Doric, Ionic and Corinthian.

These are indeed often superimposed on pediments in secular buildings.

Classical religious architecture is equally elegant.

Many churches enlarged during that period indeed boast impressive domes and volumes.

Amboise Castle has a long history!

The Gauls indeed built a fortress on the promontory overlooking the Loire and its valley.

The Romans replaced it with a fortified camp, built a bridge across the river and charged a toll for the transportation of goods.

The Count of Amboise built a fortress in the 11th century.

Charles VII seized it in 1422 and his son Louis XI rebuilt it.

His grand-son Charles VIII was born and died in Amboise, and discovered the Italian Renaissance during his military expeditions in the 1490s.

Impressed by the elegance and refinement of this new style, he therefore commissioned a series of alterations and improvements which turned Amboise in a perfect illustration of Early Renaissance architecture!

These included the Gothic wing that faces the river, the Tour des Minimes, the Oratory of Anne de Bretagne and a wide array of lavish furniture.

Finally, the king commissioned Italian gardeners with the landscaping of the gardens.

Amboise Castle was almost finished when he died in 1498.

Amboise Castle in the 16th century

Amboise Castle - Gothic Wing

The Gothic wing overlooks the Loire.

It flanks the Tour des Minimes or Tour des Cavaliers (horsemen tower), the original entrance to the castle.

Riders indeed entered the premises riding on a ramp located inside the tower.

The top of the tower and the battlements boast prime views of the valley.

Flemish masters created the Oratoire d' Anne de Bretagne, which is considered a superb illustration of Flamboyant Gothic style.

The Salle des Etats (Hall of State) is a large hall with brick and stone walls and a vaulted ceiling supported by columns.

It was the scene of a historic event known as Conspiracy of Amboise.

In 1560 a group of Protestants indeed went to Blois in order to ask Francois II for the freedom of religion.

However, spies discovered that some of these Protestants plotted to assassinate the Duke of Guise, the leader of the Catholic party.

The king escaped to Amboise Castle with his Court, but the conspirators followed him.

However, they were captured, tried and hanged from the balcony of the Salle des Etats.

This balcony has since been known as Balcon des Conspirateurs (Conspirators' Balcony).

The Edict of Amboise, an edict of pacification signed by the king in 1563, ended this episode of the War of Religions.

Abd-el-Kader, the leader of the Algerian resistance against the French presence, was jailed in the (converted) Salle des Etats from 1848 to 1852.

Renaissance fireplace

Chapelle Saint-Hubert

Renaissance wing

Charles VIII's successor, Louis XII built the Renaissance wing at right angle with the Gothic wing.

François I was very fond of Amboise Castle and added an upper floor to the Renaissance wing.

The great patron of the French Renaissance, indeed spent his youth and lived there during the first five years of his reign.

A Man of pleasure, luxury and beauty, the charismatic king brought prestige to Amboise, where he gave lavish festivities.

The Protector of Arts and Letters and a knowledgeable and refined man, François I spent his life surrounded by the best minds of his era.

He therefore invited Leonardo da Vinci to move to the nearby Clos Luçé.

The king regularly visited the old artist, using a secret passage that connects the castle with Le Clos Luçé.

Louis XIII bequeathed the chateau to his brother Gaston d'Orléans, who spent most of his life plotting against his own brother!

As retaliation, the king sent his troops who fired on the chateau and sadly destroyed the ramparts!

Amboise Castle eventually returned to the French Crown.

In the early 19th century, Napoleon I bequeathed Amboise to the penniless Roger Ducros, a member of the Directory government, who turned it into a stone quarry!

All that is therefore left of the chateau are the Logis du Roi, Gothic and Renaissance wings, Tour Heurtault on the rampart and Chapelle St-Hubert.

The private apartments on the upper floor of the Renaissance wing were later redecorated in Empire style for Louis-Philippe.

Gardens and terraces were landscaped on the site of the former buildings.

They boast prime views of the Loire and roofs of the medieval city.

It is said that the Flamboyant Gothic Chapelle St-Hubert, built in 1491 for Ann of Brittany shelters the tomb of Leonardo da Vinci.

Amboise Castle belongs to the St-Louis Foundation, a trust founded by the Count of Paris in order to preserve the French national heritage.

Amidst the COVID-19 outbreak, almost every country across the globe had imposed restrictions to contain it. Now, countries across Europe have started to ease lockdown measures, and are gearing up to resume both domestic and international travels.

On Monday, parts of Spain and Italy, in view of low Coronavirus infection rates, began to ease lockdown measures, and opened restaurants, bars, museums, and non-essential shops. Also, on May 16, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte signed a decree that stated foreign tourism will be allowed to resume from June 3. Likewise, Belgium, Portugal, Poland, and Denmark are also reopening shops, restaurants and bars, and some attractions, however, with limited capacity and ensuring health and safety measures are in place.

Here’s a list of European countries that are gradually easing lockdown and travel restrictions.

Credit: iStock

Austria - Cross-border travel will be allowed primarily with neighbouring countries. Reportedly, borders are due to open with Switzerland, Germany, Czech Republic, Liechtenstein, Hungary, and Slovenia on June 15. Vienna, Salzburg, and Innsbruck airports are operational, but with limited services until 31 May, at the earliest. Bars and restaurants are open, whereas hotels will open from 29 May. Masks mandatory in shops and on public transports. No large events until June. Health certificate necessary for entry, and those without certificate, must self-isolate for 14 days. Testing facility available at Vienna airport for €190.

Belgium – International travel likely to be open from June 15. Public transport is operating, where masks are mandatory. Museums open from May 18, whereas some tourist attractions, cafes, restaurants will start to reopen from June 8 onward. Currently, all travellers arriving in Belgium must self-isolate for 14 days. If, from mid-June, the EU’s external borders reopen, Belgium travel is likely on cards even for non-European holidaymakers, if their national travel rules permit.

Bulgaria – Some direct flights are operating between London and Sofia for essential travel. Some hotels, markets, restaurants, bars, national parks are also open.

Croatia - Some border crossings on major routes are open for limited traffic. No date announced for borders reopening to other tourists. Some international and domestic flights operating and transit permitted. Parks, shops, museums, hotels and outdoor restaurants and bars are open, and some public transport is operating.

Credit: iStock

Cyprus – Cyprus wants to be open for tourists by July, and will begin resuming operations of seaports and airports in stages, i.e., between June 9 and July 13. Further, open-air cinemas, theatres, hotels, and shopping malls reopen. However, no policy regarding tourist arrivals has been released yet. Beaches and museums will likely reopen from 1 June, whereas outdoor play areas, parks, historical and archaeological sites are set to reopen from 21 May.

Czech Republic – No dates revealed yet for border reopening. As of now, no indication regarding when inbound tourism will resume in the country, but Czechia like many European countries will likely give green light first to leisure visits from neighbours. Shops, pubs, outdoor restaurants, and museums are open, whereas, outdoor campsites, hotels, and other accommodation will reopen from 25 May.

Denmark – As per the Danish Government, it will decide on travel advice and border control by 1 June. Parks, shops, and some hotels are open; public transport is also operating. Bars and restaurants are set to reopen from 18 May. Cinemas, theatres, and sports facilities are due to reopen after 8 June.

Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania – Currently, travellers from within the ‘travel bubble’ of Baltic countries are allowed entry.

Credit: iStock

Finland – No date announced yet for border opening. Shops are open, whereas bars, restaurants, and cultural institutions are set to open from 1 June. Hotels and ski resorts remain closed.

France – Borders due to reopen. Public transport running more frequently. Restaurants and bars are likely to reopen from June 2, whereas some parks, large museums, and beaches will stay closed till June 1. A health certificate stating he does not have Coronavirus will be required by a traveller to enter the country till at least July, or else will have to opt for an alternative of 14 days’ self-isolation.

Germany – Borders yet to open. Limited flights allowed only for essential travel. Some shops have reopened, whereas hotels are due to open on May 25. Large events are likely to be possible after August.

Greece - Borders to reopen for international tourists from July 1. Some indirect international flights are operating, and direct flights with the United Kingdom are due to resume from June 1. Currently, all travellers arriving must self-isolate for 14 days on arrival. Throughout June, cafes, malls, restaurants, hotels, cinemas, amusement parks, and other sports facilities will start to open gradually. Large gatherings, including sporting events and festivals, are unlikely to return this summer.

Hungary - Borders set to open with Austria from June 15. Limited flights are operating. Further, in Budapest, parks, shops, and outdoor bars and restaurants are open. Masks are mandatory across the country.

Credit: iStock

Iceland - The government will likely ease restrictions on international arrivals by no later than 15 June. Borders have remained open to Schengen countries. Also, a health certificate will be required on entry, or one can opt for an alternative of 14 days’ self-isolation. Further, tourists arriving in the country will need to download the country’s tracing app. Some flights are operating, as are some taxis and buses. Social distancing must be done in public places.

Ireland - Some ferry services and flights will continue to operate between the United Kingdom and Ireland. All arrivals will be subject to 14 days’ self-isolation, and are required to provide details of accommodation while in Ireland. Public transport is allowed but limited. Some pubs and restaurants reopen from June 29, whereas museums, hotels, and galleries are to reopen from July 20.

Italy - Borders are set to reopen to tourists from June 3. Restaurants are allowed to sell takeaway food, parks are open; bars, restaurants, museums, and non-essential will reopen from today. Hotels will likely reopen from June, however, that will depend on bookings.

Luxembourg - Borders are open with Germany. Restaurants, shops, hotels are set to reopen after May 25, and masks are mandatory in all public spaces. No date announced for borders reopening yet.

Credit: iStock

Malta - No date announced yet for borders reopening. Airport likely to reopen by the end of May. All travellers arriving must currently self-isolate for 14 days. Bars, restaurants, hotels likely to open by early June; masks mandatory in all public spaces.

Netherlands - Borders are open for tourists from Schengen countries. Some flights are operating with the United Kingdom, but one must undergo a complete health declaration. Hotels and some shops are open. Outdoor bars and restaurants, museums, cinemas, and music venues are set to open from June 1, whereas holiday parks and campsites are due to open on July 1.

Norway – Dates not announced yet for borders reopening. Some hotels, restaurants, and shops are open. Events with a gathering of up to 50 people allowed, as such music venues, some parks, galleries, and others likely to reopen from 15 June.

Poland - Borders for international tourists likely to be open from June 13. Restrictions are being lifted gradually since May 4, and travel to beaches, national parks, and cities is permitted now. International flights are likely to start operating again from May 23. As of now, all arrivals must self-isolate for 14 days. Hotels were allowed to open from 4 May, but without catering. Art galleries, museums, and shops due to open from May 18. Masks mandatory in public spaces.

Credit: iStock

Portugal - Borders for international tourists likely to open in 2020. Public transport is allowed, but running at a reduced capacity. Bars and restaurants are permitted in many regions to open, but with limited capacity. Many hotels in Algarve are already open, whereas its beaches are set to open in June. Hon-essential travel is not allowed there, and health screenings are mandatory.

Romania – Dates not yet announced for borders reopening to non-essential travel. Hotels, museums, restaurants, and some shops are now open, and some direct flights are also set to resume. Face masks are mandatory in public spaces.

Slovakia - No date announced yet for reopening borders to non-essential travel. Some outdoor markets, shops, outdoor sports venues, outdoor tourist attractions, museums, outdoor bars and restaurants, galleries are open. Public transport and taxis are operating. Masks mandatory in public spaces.

Slovenia – It will reopen in a phased manner. Flight operations are limited; currently, all arrivals from outside the EU must provide proof of accommodation, and self-isolate for seven days. Shops, hotels, galleries, and outdoor bars and restaurants are. Taxis and some public transport are permitted; masks mandatory in public spaces. Some tourist attractions are also set to reopen.

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Spain – Dates not yet announced for border reopening yet. The country will reopen in stages. Very limited flights are operating for essential travel only. Travellers arriving in the country must self-isolate for 14 days. One can travel by car around a province, but not allowed to travel between different provinces yet. Many hotels are open, and in less affected regions, some outdoor bars and restaurants are allowed to open, but not fully operational. Museums are also allowed to open, but with a limited capacity.

Sweden - Borders are open to EU countries and UK nationals. Limited flights are also operating between Stockholm and London. Further, as Sweden never went into full lockdown, shops, hotels, restaurants, bars, and some museums are open.

Switzerland - Border crossings to and from France, Germany, and Austria are set to reopen from 15 June. Shops, hotels, restaurants, and markets are open. Masks recommended in public spaces. Theatres, cinemas, museums, ski resorts, outdoor sports with up to five people, mountain services, and other leisure activities likely to resume from June 8.

Turkey – Dates not announced for border reopening yet. Domestic flight remains suspended, international flights. Restaurants and hotels set to reopen from May 27. Face masks mandatory in public spaces. Measures across provinces vary, which might change at short notice.

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