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Coronavirus: Europe grapples with lifting limits on travel Coronavirus: Germany dashes tourism sector's hopes on lockdown
(about 8 hours later)
Half a million masks were being handed out on Wednesday in stations around Paris, with France set to ease public transport restrictions next month. Germany has taken cautious steps to ease its coronavirus lockdown, allowing small shops to reopen last week.
But although Europe's leaders want to kickstart economies hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, how to resume movement of people remains a difficult issue. But in a blow to its tourism sector, its warning against worldwide travel has now been extended until 14 June.
Unions expressed fears at the French plans to let people move freely with a mask from 11 May on trips up to 100km. Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Germany's fight against the pandemic was not at a stage where he could "recommend carefree travel".
And Germany extended a warning against global travel until 14 June. "People won't be able to spend a holiday as they usually know it, on full beaches or in full mountain huts."
That means no decision has yet been taken on families taking their children on summer holidays. Germany warned on Wednesday that its economy could shrink by a record 6.3% this year.
In common with several other EU states, Germany closed some of its land borders last month to try to curb the spread of coronavirus and repatriated 240,000 German travellers from abroad. "We will experience the worst recession in the history of the federal republic" founded in 1949, Economy Minister Peter Altmaier said.
In common with several other EU states, Germany closed some of its land borders last month to try to curb the spread of Covid-19, and repatriated 240,000 German travellers from abroad.
The German association for tour operators said it had lost over €4.8bn ($5.21bn) in sales up until the end of April, and said the tourist sector would now need urgent government assistance.
What are other European countries doing?
Tourism accounts for 10% of the EU's economic output, and the 27 member states must now decide how to resume public movement both within their countries and beyond.
Croatian Tourism Minister Gari Cappelli has called for "tourist corridors" to be created between EU countries, with epidemiologists deciding the rules for movement. There have been reports that Czech tourists could be allowed into Croatia in July and August.
Austria, which has lifted quarantine restrictions at three popular ski resorts, may adopt a phased return to tourist activity that begins by allowing German visitors in.
In Spain, hotels are allowed to reopen from 11 May with social distancing in force - but the proposal has angered the Hotel Business Association of Madrid. The body expressed its "serious concern" over the plan on Wednesday, and shared its "disbelief" that the government wanted to reopen hotels "when the arrival of clients is impossible" due to border closures and lack of flights.
France's exit from lockdown is expected to commence in earnest on 11 May, but Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said travel won't become unrestricted there. Journeys of more than 100km (62 miles) will be allowed "solely for compelling family or professional reasons".
Calls for airline voucher systemCalls for airline voucher system
EU governments are having to decide how to resume public movement both within their countries as well as beyond. Airlines have been severely hit by the grounding of planes, and 12 EU states want travel rules to be changed so that airlines can compensate passengers with vouchers rather than cash for cancelled flights.
Tourism accounts for 10% of the 27-member bloc's economic output and EU ministers this week proposed possible tourist corridors between member states.
Airlines have been severely hit by the grounding of planes and 12 EU states have called for travel rules to be changed so that airlines can compensate passengers with vouchers rather than cash for cancelled flights.
Neighbouring countries are also trying to handle cross-border workers. Germany has relaxed a quarantine on Polish commuters but Poland has not yet followed suit. Hundreds of people staged protests in Polish border towns last week.Neighbouring countries are also trying to handle cross-border workers. Germany has relaxed a quarantine on Polish commuters but Poland has not yet followed suit. Hundreds of people staged protests in Polish border towns last week.
While Poland said it would reopen hotels and shopping centres from 4 May, there was no indication when it would reopen its borders. While Poland said it would reopen hotels and shopping centres from 4 May, there was no indication of when borders would reopen.
What is France doing?
France's decision to require masks on trains and buses follows Germany's move this week.
Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said there would be no unrestricted travel from 11 May but France would be divided into red zones, where Covid-19 was still circulating, and green zones where it was less of a risk.
There would have to be social distancing on the metro in Paris and services would be ramped up from 30% capacity now to 70% after 11 May. Train operator SNCF has urged employers to continue home-working and offer flexible shifts to prevent a surge in the rush-hour.
In France, you currently need to print out a document before you leave the house. That will only be necessary after 11 May if the journey is more than 100km (62 miles), which will be allowed "solely for compelling family or professional reasons".
Outside the EU, Serbia plans to restart public transport next week but the transport workers' union in the capital Belgrade has warned that there are not enough drivers or vehicles to ensure social distancing of passengers.
Is anyone opening up beaches?Is anyone opening up beaches?
Several European countries are still hoping to reopen their beaches in time for the summer tourist season. If and when beaches are reopened, they may only be accessible to those living locally.
France has said no beaches will be open until at least June and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez says reopening beaches at the end of June is part of his government's four-phase plan to return to a "new normal". In Belgium, mayors from towns along the North Sea coast have agreed to reach a decision by 8 May on how to restrict beach access and "save the Belgians' summer".
France has said no beaches will be open until at least June, while Spain is also targeting the end of June.
Travel from one part of Spain to another will also be restricted until June.Travel from one part of Spain to another will also be restricted until June.
In Belgium, mayors from towns along the North Sea coast have agreed to reach a decision by 8 May on how to restrict beach access and "save the summer of the Belgians". Authorities in the Spanish coastal resort of Zahara de los Atunes recently caused an outcry by spraying a beach with bleach in an attempt to protect children from the coronavirus.
Croatian Tourism Minister Gari Cappelli has called for "tourist corridors" to be created between separate EU countries, with epidemiologists deciding the necessary rules for movement.
Much of Southern Europe relies on tourism for a considerable part of its economic output and there have been reports that Czech tourists could be allowed into Croatia in July and August.