10.i

COVID-1 9 incidence has declined to low levels

The main pre-requisite for the relaxation of COVID-19 community restriction measures and for resuming tourism activities is epidemiological evidence showing that the spread of the disease has significantly decreased and stabilised for a sustained period of time, and is likely to remain stable with the increased tourist population.

10.ii

Sufficient health system capacity is in place

Sufficient health system capacity must be in place for local people and tourists, so that in the event of a sudden increase in cases, primary care, hospital and intensive care services are not overwhelmed. This would be especially important on a regional level, for tourism regions that can expect higher rates of visitors, such as resorts, areas close to beaches, landmarks, etc., which may not be necessarily close to healthcare infrastructure. Remote touristic areas may have limited health care services and if considerable additional number of visitors can be expected, they may require the implementation of additional response mechanisms, such as medical evacuation flights, etc. The guidelines for cross-border health care of Covid-19 cases should be applied (12). Furthermore, Member States, whose nationals or residents become infected when present in other Member States, should facilitate the repatriation of such persons.

10.iii

Robust surveillance and monitoring is in place

Before relaxing measures, including the resumption of tourism, Member States must have systems in place to be able to monitor and respond to changes in indicators of health service capacity.

Increased surveillance and monitoring capacity on a local level are required to prevent introduction of the virus through travellers into touristic regions as well as spread from local populations to tourists, where applicable in line with EU data protection law.

10.iv

Testing capacity is in place

A pivotal criterion of the Joint European Roadmap towards lifting COVID-19 containment measures is to ensure large-scale testing to detect cases and monitor the spread of the virus combined with contact tracing and isolation measures to slow down transmission. Lack of testing capacities has initially hampered large population-based screening approaches. For the early identification of cases, rapid testing and diagnoses are essential (13). It would be important to ensure that visitors also have equal access to testing.

10.v

Contact tracing is in place

Contact tracing is an effective and essential public health measure for the control of COVID-19. The aim is to promptly identify and manage contacts of COVID-19 cases in order to reduce further onward transmission. Such contact tracing must allow the sharing of relevant information between countries where there is international tourism, including preparedness for repatriation of nationals, if necessary. Close collaboration and coordination between Member States around contact tracing will further be important as borders re-open. The collection and storing of personal data must comply with the relevant EU legislation, including the General Data Protection Regulation and the e-Privacy Directive.

The key elements of contact tracing are outlined in detail in the recent European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) guidance (14) and, in relation to data protection, the Guidance on Apps supporting the fight against COVID 19 pandemic (15) and the Guidelines of the European Data Protection Board (16). The Commission and the Member States will publish a protocol on interoperability principles to ensure that voluntary approved contact tracing apps can function across borders and are reliable wherever their users are in Europe.

10.vi

Coordination and communication mechanisms are in place

It is essential that mechanisms be in place to ensure coordination and communication between the authorities and operators active in the tourism sector as well as between local and national/regional governments in Member States. In addition, cross-border coordination, information-sharing and communication using established channels is essential, where cross-border tourism is allowed. Member States should inform each other and the Commission in due time before announcing measures related to restoring cross-border tourism traffic and take into account their views. In addition to the mechanisms outlined in the accompanying Communication on restoring free movement and lifting internal border controls, the Health Security Committee, the Tourism Advisory Committee and other existing coordination channels for transport and travel should be used in line with their respective mandates.

Risk communication, including through digital means, for the travellers and tourists is also vital, ensuring they are informed about the local context, measures to follow in case of suspected COVID-19 cases, how to access healthcare etc.

(a)

Epidemiological situation

A pre-condition for any touristic activity to resume is that COVID-19 incidence has declined to low levels and all other criteria detailed in section II. EU Guidance on principles for the safe and gradual restoration of tourism above have been carefully considered.

(b)

Health and safety of guests and workers is key priority

For hospitality services to resume, it is essential that guests using the hospitality establishment and workers participating in the provision of the service follow measures to prevent infection and virus transmission to a maximum. Measures should be clearly communicated, including through digital means, visible and effective, both to guests and to workers.

(c)

Local arrangements

There should be a constant coordination between local and/or national public health authorities and hospitality service providers to ensure that the latest rules and regulations in a given geographical area are shared, applied and their implementation monitored.

(d)

Action Plan in case of infection

Establishments should have a preparedness plan that includes actions to be taken in case of infection in the establishment, covering the periods from the decision to re-open up to 14 days after guests have left the establishment. A specific action plan detailing the role and responsibilities of staff should be presented to all staff and be made available at all times.

(e)

Training

All staff working in tourism facilities should be aware of COVID-19 symptoms and should be briefed on basic infection prevention and control (IPC) measures. Staff should be trained on IPC measures and actions to be taken in case of guests presenting COVID-19 compatible symptoms, or themselves presenting symptoms.

(f)

Management of staff

Measures that decrease the presence of staff in the establishment should be considered, such as working from home for all staff performing duties that may be compatible with teleworking.

Measures decreasing the number of physical contacts and the time of physical contacts between people in the establishment should be considered, including shifts in work, shifts in meal-times, using phones and electronic means of communication.

(g)

Information for guests

Guests should receive all necessary information in an accessible manner, including through digital means, prior to arrival and in the place of hospitality establishment, on all current guidance by local public health authorities, as well as specific measures that are put in place and affect their arrival, stay and departure.

Guests should be informed through specific signage (information infographics, including adaptations for visually impaired guests) before the entrance of the establishment of the signs and symptoms of COVID-19, what to do in case they develop symptoms during their stay or within 14 days following departure. The establishment could also provide leaflets with this information.

Establishments should ensure that the contact details of the guests are available in case they are needed for contact tracing. Contact tracing measures should be strictly limited for the purposes of dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak and set up in line with the Common EU toolbox of the eHealth Network on mobile applications to support contact tracing in the EU’s fight against COVID-19 (22) and the Commission Guidance on apps (23), ensuring the highest level of privacy and data protection.

(h)

Physical distancing and hygiene

The establishment should put in place targeted measures to ensure that physical distancing is maintained in communal areas where guests are likely to gather for prolonged periods of time (i.e. longer than 15 minutes), such as establishing a maximum number of guests allowed in each common facility (i.e. restaurants, cafés, bars, lobby). Allocating slots or making available (digital) slot booking for meal times or visits of pools or gyms should be considered.

When physical distancing cannot be fully observed, alternative measures should be considered to protect guests and workers, such as the use of glass or plastic teller panels, wearing of masks, etc.

In principle, a distance of 1,5 to 2 metres should be applied in the communal areas of the whole establishment (except for persons travelling together and sharing rooms), complemented by other measures (e.g. wearing a mask), where this is not possible.

For outdoor areas (beaches, pools, cafés, bars, restaurants, etc.) and outdoor servings, special arrangements should be made to allow for physical distancing and special hygiene measures applied. Indoor areas such as spas and pools should also adhere to strict hygiene measures. Each establishment should carefully consider whether special facilities (e.g. childcare facilities) should remain closed. Larger scale events e.g. concerts should be postponed.

Special arrangements for transport services provided by the establishment, such as shuttle buses, need to be implemented following the guidelines on the progressive restauration of transport services and connectivity. (24)

(i)

Infection prevention and control measures (IPC measures)

In addition to physical distancing, specific personal protective measures and cleaning and disinfection protocols need to be considered, communicated to staff and guests and implemented.

These measures include:

(j)

Potential infections among guests or staff

In case of a suspected case of COVID-19 among guests or staff members whilst at work, the implementation of the action plan described in point d) should follow relevant guidance from ECDC (Annex) and national and local health authorities, with regard to: