Europe “turns the page” during the Covid-19 pandemic

Despite many risks of new strains, European countries are simultaneously allowing restaurants and cafes to reopen, with the hope of recovering the economy.
Europe is gradually recovering from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, when cafes in Paris, gelato shops in Rome and beer gardens in Bavaria (Germany) are allowed to reopen. This is said to be a great test for the recovery of European countries in terms of health and economy.

Excited but still worried Authorities in the old continent gradually eased social distancing restrictions, as infection rates fell and the number of people vaccinated increased. In Italy, the original epicenter of the pandemic in Europe, a nationwide curfew will be lifted in the coming weeks; Germany is gradually easing tough restrictions imposed for a long time. In France, restaurants are allowed to serve guests outdoors starting May 19; Museums, including the famous Louvre, have plans to return visitors. The scene filled with breath of life at Paris’s famous Cafe de Flore on May 19. Photo: AFP. While cafes in Paris, including Ernest Hemingway’s familiar Les Deux Magots, are busy returning to their pre-pandemic rhythm, the famous nightclub Moulin Rouge is also starting to get excited, its dancers They took to the streets to promote their reopening in September with bold attention-grabbing styles. Although excitement is everywhere, there are still worries about the pandemic that has not passed. Because the new strain from India is spreading rapidly in many other parts of the world. Therefore, measures to prevent the disease will continue to be maintained. In Berlin, open-air restaurants will be trialled from May 21. Meanwhile, the rhythm of life in Paris cannot return to the way it was before the pandemic. Paolo Viglianisi, 66, owner of Paparazzi restaurant, located in a quiet square just behind Paris’ opera house, said: “We are very happy to reopen and are fortunate to have such a great location. great. But things will never go back to the way they were.” Before the crisis, his restaurant had 39 employees. Now, Viglianisi will open its doors with only about 15 employees on May 19. He aims to serve about 100 guests for lunch and another 100 for dinner, equivalent to two-thirds of pre-pandemic guests. Cautiously optimistic On May 19, the European Union (EU) decided to reopen its borders to people who have been vaccinated against Covid-19. Europe’s leaders need to strike the right balance between economic recovery and public health protection, or face the ire of voters. Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives are battling the Greens to run Europe’s largest economy, while French President Emmanuel Macron, who has struggled in vain to avoid a third lockdown, will face the challenge of running for re-election next year. French President Emmanuel Macron (right) at an outdoor cafe in Paris on May 19. Photo: AFP. “It is a very rare new moment of freedom and the fruit of our joint efforts,” Macron said in a televised interview, while drinking coffee on the morning of May 19, at the cafe. Outdoor coffee in the heart of Paris. The current overarching sentiment is cautiously optimistic. Containment measures have significantly slowed the spread, vaccination work is being carried out rapidly. But with the threat of new strains like the one from India, the risk is still there. “We can be confident but not hasty,” said Steffen Seibert, Chancellor Angela Merkel’s spokesman. The infection rate is still much higher than it was a year ago, so no one has yet reached the scene of enjoying a comfortable summer like before. Authorities have been on high alert since last spring, when the outbreak was under control and flared up worse in the fall. The town near Düsseldorf, Germany has temporarily quarantined 189 people after discovering the only case of the Indian variant here. Concerns have prevented businesses such as the Chinesischer Turm beer garden in Munich, which have been reopened, to return to their former life. Normally, about 7,000 diners can enjoy hot dogs and drink beer here, but due to few foreign tourists and gloomy weather, the picture of the future is even darker. Maria Pinzger, representative of the beer garden, said: “As long as we can continue to open, we are happy. But there is still a risk from new Covid-19 strains, we cannot assess the situation right now.” In Spain, restaurants and theaters reopened about two weeks ago with other restrictions on numbers and early closing hours. Sergi Ferrer, president of Barceloneta’s beachfront shop owners association, said that in Barcelona, ​​demand from locals is not enough to displace millions of tourists. “If we don’t have tourists this summer, business is going to be very bad,” said Ferrer, who runs a restaurant on the city’s pier. In Rome, extending the curfew past 10 p.m. will create a breakthrough for businesses like Ripa 12 fish restaurant in the Trastevere district. Although open since late April, many outdoor tables are empty by early evening, suggesting a slow-going revival. People eat outdoors at a restaurant in Rome. Photo: Xinhua. “Our customers are businessmen who work late into the night, barely showing up before 9pm,” said Vincenzo Colao, the restaurant’s owner. Restaurant revenue is down about 70% from pre-pandemic levels. This situation is also happening in Paris, where the outdoor tables of Paparazzi restaurant are limited to 6 people and everyone must keep a safe distance.