The European Commission has launched a new web platform, Re-open EU, to support the safe restart of travel and tourism across Europe.
The platform will provide real-time information on borders and available means of transport and tourism services in EU member states, and will also include practical information provided by member states on travel restrictions, public health and safety measures such as physical distancing or wearing of facemasks, as well as other useful information on EU and national tourism offers. This will allow Europeans to take responsible and well-informed decisions on how to manage continuing risks related to coronavirus while planning their holidays and travels during this summer and beyond.
Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for the Internal Market, said: “After weeks of confinement, EU internal borders are reopening. The Re-open EU website will provide travelers with easy access to information to help them confidently make their travel plans and stay safe during their trip. It will also help small restaurant and hotel owners, as well as towns across Europe, draw inspiration from innovative solutions developed by others.”
The Re-open EU platform is part of the European Commission’s Tourism and Transport package, first announced on May 13, launched to rebuild confidence among travelers in the EU and help European tourism resume safely, in line the necessary health precautions.
The new platform, which also comes with a mobile friendly version (a web-based app), acts as a key point of reference for anyone travelling in the EU as it centralises up-to-date information from the commission and the member states in one place. It will allow people to browse country-specific information, updates and advice for each EU Member State through an interactive map. It will be easily accessible via app or website, and be available in the 24 official EU languages.
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Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, and responsible for the Joint Research Centre, said: “Europe’s vast and rich cultural heritage is one of our major assets. But with no possibility to travel and with most venues closed these past months, culture and tourism have been hit hard. The Re-open EU platform provides up to date, essential information so that we can start exploring Europe safely again.”
On June 11, the Commission presented its recommendations for a partial and gradual lifting of travel restrictions to the EU after June 30 and called on member states to remove restrictions to free movement and lift internal border controls by June 15: most EU countries have done so, but some restrictions remain in place.
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