(Picture: Getty) In the context of the COVID-19 epidemic showing signs of cooling down and vaccination rates increasing, many European countries continue to relax restrictions and reopen recreational activities. With the number of new COVID cases and hospitalizations continuing to decline in the country, allowing the Belgian government to continue with its “summer plan”, which includes the resumption of services in the hospitality sector and the organization of cultural events with a limited number of Limited quantity starting June 9. Belgium will also ease restrictions, allowing cafes and restaurants to serve indoors, as well as extending operating hours for businesses, easing restrictions on sports venues and cinemas. movies. Many Belgians expressed their joy as life gradually returned to normal: “I’ve been waiting for this for a long time. Eating out has a very special feeling. I’m tired of ordering food to take home or eat on my own. I cook.” The epidemic situation has shown signs of being controlled, the city of Munich, Germany on June 9 also dropped the requirement to wear masks in the city center. The warm weather caused many people to flock to the street for a walk. They are happy to be “liberated” from the mask to breathe fresh air. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron announced a new step forward on June 9, when French people can enjoy meals, as well as outdoor activities until 11pm. As planned, France will completely lift the night curfew on June 30. However, most French people will still have to wear masks when outdoors.

Diners enjoy coffee outdoors, when shops are allowed to reopen after a 7-month separation to fight the COVID-19 epidemic, in Brussels, Belgium on May 9, 2021. Photo: AFP/VNA According to European sources, during the meeting in Brussels, diplomats proposed that those who can present a certificate of having had a full dose of an EU-approved COVID-19 vaccine, can enter the bloc. . In addition, the limit for assessing a country on the list of entry restrictions has also been raised, whereby this list will include countries with a rate of new infections within two weeks of 75 cases per 100,000. population, instead of the current 25 cases. The recommendations are expected to be approved by EU ministers on May 20. Currently, the 27 EU member states still ban entry without a good reason, except for some countries considered safe with low rates of COVID-19 cases. However, business in Europe is also being resumed after the epidemic prevention restrictions are lifted. * On the same day, French people could not hide their joy when they were able to do old habits again such as sipping a cup of coffee outside a restaurant, preparing to go to the cinema or visit a museum. After more than 6 months of imposing measures to control the COVID-19 epidemic, France has relaxed restrictions, whereby cafes and restaurants with courtyards or rooftop gardens can serve guests to eat and drink. outdoors, while museums, cinemas and theaters will also reopen. This is part of phase 2 of the plan to lift the blockade. After that, restaurants will be allowed to serve indoors from June 9, and the French economy will fully reopen on June 30. Contrary to the deserted atmosphere, “doors closed, bolted” for many months, all over Paris, cafes and restaurants are busy preparing and arranging outdoor dining and drinking areas, while the first “gods” were enjoying their morning coffee. Mr. Pascal, manager of Saint Jean’s in the Montmartre district, is pleased to say that he has welcomed 3 customers to drink coffee. Meanwhile, one of the customers called it a big change from having to buy takeaway coffee. In the western city of Rennes, Patricia Marchand, manager of the cafe des Feuilles, confirmed that the whole city center is busier and full of excitement, although the meteorological agency predicts rain may occur in many places. . Also from May 19, the night curfew in France will also be shortened by 2 hours, starting at 21:00. Thus, people were able to have dinner together and chat longer, although eating and drinking still had to be limited to no more than 6 people/table. Not only enjoying a cup of coffee or drinking wine, many French people also look forward to going to the movies or watching exhibitions. In a statement posted on the webiste, the Louvre museum posted a status line expressing its joy when it was reopened to visitors. In order to boost the economy, France has also decided to reopen non-essential businesses but must implement social distancing regulations. Currently, the number of patients with COVID-19 in intensive care units in France has decreased to 4,250 cases, much lower than about 6,000 cases a month earlier. The weekly rate of new cases also fell to 142 cases per 100,000 people, much lower than 400 at the beginning of April.

People eat at an outdoor restaurant in Paris, France, May 19, 2021. Photo: THX/VNA Bad weather doesn’t discourage them from heading to their favorite destinations. Demand for tickets to an exhibition of Renaissance sculpture at the Louvre has spiked. According to the plan, after the second phase of easing the COVID-19 epidemic prevention, France will fully open the economy on June 30. Similarly, the Austrian Government also eased epidemic prevention measures on May 19, accordingly reopening restaurants and bars after a 6-month shutdown to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic. 19. However, this relaxation decision only applies to those who have tested negative for the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19, or have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine or have recovered. recovering from this illness. * Around 50,000 travel professionals from around the world gathered in the Spanish capital Madrid on May 19 for a five-day fair. This is the first travel fair to be held in a live format during the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe. The organizers of the FITUR International Tourism Fair expect to welcome 100,000 visitors at this year’s fair, of which 50% are ordinary people who will be allowed to attend this event during the weekend. Last year, the event attracted nearly 260,000 visitors. However, due to the impact of the epidemic, this year’s fair will reduce the maximum number of visitors, while side festivals will not be held and seminars within the framework of this fair will be held. operate in an online form. The FITUR international travel fair is held in the context that Europe and many other countries have been eased from epidemic prevention measures and people around the globe are preparing to resume travel activities. Tourism is one of the sectors most severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to estimates by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the number of people traveling in 2020 has decreased by 74% compared to 2019.