The umbrella spacing systems, the sanitization of the equipment, lunch on the beach will be evaluated
We all wonder: but after the months of lockdown from the Covid-19 coronavirus, can we finally go on vacation to the beach? Tourism, together with culture, in Italy is worth the 15% of GDP: a wealth that must be protected. For this reason, the Government is studying, together with the experts, the scientific committee, the ministries and the Civil Protection, the measures to support the sector. The seaside towns, meanwhile, are asking for shared and clear rules on the reopening of the beaches, in order to organize themselves.
According to Mibact Undersecretary Lorenza Bonaccorsi, this summer, the usual flows of foreign tourism (which reached a peak of 51% last year) will not arrive: tourism will be "domestic", with small shifts.
Shall we go to the beach?
The bathing establishments remain closed until 3 May. Access is prohibited on beaches just like in parks. At the moment, entry to the bathing establishments is allowed only to the personnel who deal with maintenance and surveillance. In Liguria, Abruzzo and Emilia Romagna, bathers were allowed to start reassembling the structures in view of the reopening.
How will we be on the beach?
There are still no shared and defined solutions, even if the Government is working on it, together with the ministries of Tourism and Health. It is necessary to carefully evaluate the umbrella spacing systems, the sanitization of the equipment, the umbrella lunch. Some companies have proposed installing transparent cubicles of aluminum and Plexiglas two meters high and 4.5 wide on each side, complete with an entrance door, inside which a couple of beds and an umbrella could be placed. The hypothesis of sanitizing tunnels and dispensers installed along the platforms was also presented, to spray disinfectant solutions. Mauro Della Valle, vice president of Federbalneari, talks about "familiar" umbrellas, one per nucleus, even three meters apart, and also an entrance upon reservation to the plant. And he explains, again, that access to bars and bathrooms could only be possible with a mask.
Can we move to go to the beach?
At the moment, travel is prohibited throughout Italy for tourism: Italians and foreigners still traveling have the opportunity to end their travel, but only to return as soon as possible to their residence or home.
Are the hotels open?
Yes, but they can provide their service only to people who are authorized to move according to the regulations in force, i.e. proven working needs, absolute urgency, situation of need or health reasons. The tourist-accommodation structures of various types, such as bed and breakfasts, can continue their activity (after having communicated it to the prefect of the province where the business is located) only to host people engaged in functional activities to ensure the continuity of the utilities and essential services. The bars and restaurants inside the accommodation facilities can only function for guests, respecting the safety precautions.
How do replacement coupons delivered in the event of a canceled holiday work?
Tour operators can offer vouchers instead of reimbursement of void trips for the pandemic. According to EU Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders, tourists must be able to refuse them, but there are "big liquidity problems" among operators in the tourism sector, who do not receive new reservations and who have to meet the refund requests that derive from canceled trips. According to Reynders, "a possible way out is to offer customers coupons instead of a cash refund" of the trip, "provided that the consumer is entitled to a full refund in case he does not use it. Coupons should be guaranteed against eventual bankruptcy of tour operators and should be voluntary .
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