European Borders Slowly Reopening

DMM英会話で作成したQ/Aを備忘録としてまとめてます。今回のテーマはEuropean Borders Slowly Reopeningです。

European Borders Slowly Reopening
Many countries in Europe are opening their borders to fellow Europeans after three months of coronavirus lockdowns.

The European Union home affairs commissioner, Ylva Johansson, has told member nations that they "should open up as soon as possible."

Many countries are doing just that, allowing travel from the EU, Britain and the rest of Europe’s usually passport-free Schengen travel area, which includes non-EU countries like Switzerland. Still, it’s a complicated patchwork of different rules.

Spain only plans to open to European travelers on June 21, but has already started allowing thousands of Germans to fly to its Balearic Islands for a trial run — removing its 14-day quarantine for the group.

"We want our country, which is already known as a world-class tourist destination, to be recognized as also a secure destination," Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said.

Italy opened its borders on June 3. Germany, like France and others, lifted its remaining border checks on June 15, and has scrapped a requirement that arrivals must prove they have a good reason to enter.

However, many German regions have imposed a quarantine requirement for arrivals from Sweden, whose virus strategy avoided a lockdown but produced a relatively high death rate. Norway is also keeping its border with Sweden closed.

Austria reopened on June 16 to European neighbors except Spain, Portugal, Sweden and Britain. France is asking people from Britain to self-quarantine for two weeks. Britain also recently introduced a 14-day quarantine requirement for most arrivals.

But with few flights and nervousness about new outbreaks, many Europeans are looking at domestic travel this summer. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz are both planning to vacation in their homelands this year.

Tourists from the US, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East will have to wait, however: Europe is only expected to start opening up to visitors from elsewhere in July.

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Disucussion:

■1:What are your thoughts on the opening of many borders across Europe?

In my personal opinion, I think it's better to wait a little longer for reopening.
It is true that the number of infected and dead people in many EU countries has started to decline from the plateau.

However, the number of infected people is still increasing in countries such as Brazil and India, and it seems unlikely that the pandemic is converging globally.

Looking at past infectious diseases such as influenza, there is also information that the second wave tends to be more severe than the first wave. I think it would be safer to relax regulations after seeing the situation up to the second wave.

■2:Do you think that your country should open to international travelers?

I think it is necessary to gradually remove it from two perspectives.
One is the country that allows travel. The other is the purpose of travel. From these viewpoints, it means that restrictions should be lifted in stages.

As for countries, I think that countries with a decreasing trend in the number of infected persons or countries with a mortality rate below a certain level should be given priority to travel.

From the perspective of the purpose of travel, I think we should first remove it from business purpose travel. I think there is a time to consider resuming economic activity to improve the domestic economy, even if there is some risk of infection. Perhaps the traveler's permission, including for entertainment purposes, should be lifted at the last stage.

■3:How important would you say tourism is for your country's economy?

In 2019, the number of visitors to Japan reached a record high of 32 million, and the government had set a goal of 40 million this year.

According to the Japan National Tourism Organization's summary, the number of foreign visitors to Japan in April was 3,000, down 99.9% from the same month the year before. This is the first time that it has broken down 10,000 people since the statistics started in 1964.

According to a survey by the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, the Japanese domestic travel consumption for January to March decreased by 20.5% to 3.3 trillion yen. It was found that 60% of the total number of businesses reduced the number of customers by 80% or more. More than half of the respondents said that it will take 1-2 years for demand to recover. In addition to the decrease in domestic travel, there was a strong sense of uncertainty about the outlook for inbound (inbound visitors) demand due to immigration restrictions on foreigners.

■4:Where do you imagine the majority of visitors to your country come from?

As for the number of tourists visiting Japan, the overwhelming majority are from East Asia.

Last year's breakdown was 24% in China, 19% in South Korea, and about 6 in Thailand and Hong Kong. Of the Western countries, the United States is the largest with about 6%.

■5:Which European country would you most like to visit?

I want to go to Germany when the pandemic calms down.

My hobby is jogging and I would love to join 3-Länder-Marathon someday. It is a marathon that runs along the route that surrounds Lake Bodensee and is very famous in Europe.

I also like beer and food, so I want to enjoy delicious food while I'm there.

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Further Discussion:

■1:Have you traveled much around your country? What's the last place you visited?

I often travel abroad because I like traveling.

Most recently, I traveled to Los Angeles before the pandemic. In Santa Monica, I saw the beautiful sea, in Hollywood, I enjoyed the wonderful view of the cinema and the warm atmosphere of the town.

■2:Do you have any travel plans for this year?

I have no plans to travel at this time.

Since Japan has a small number of patients with coronavirus infection in the world, I think that moving overseas is simply a risk.

I would like to consider traveling after the pandemic is settled in the world or a drug effective against coronavirus is found.

■3:What places in your country do you plan to visit in the future?

Now, due to the effects of the pandemic, movement across prefectures is restricted, but in the future I would like to look at areas that are "geopolitically" stable.

In addition to coronavirus infections, Japan carries many geopolitical risks. For example, earthquakes, tsunamis, and typhoons.

In fact, a relatively small earthquake and heavy rain occurred during this outing regulation. If these problems occur at the same time, there is a risk of a very catastrophic situation. Even in Japan, more and more people are moving to the countryside.

■4:What would you say are the best destinations for a summer vacation in your country?

Okinawa is my recommendation.

The beautiful blue sea makes you feel calm. The people are kind and the local food is very good.

Especially in my daily life, I spend most of my day working, so on vacation I want to do nothing.

■5:Do you prefer summer or winter vacations? Why?

There are many events in winter. From Christmas to New Year's holidays, there are many holidays, so you can enjoy your time with your family.

Personally I like winter sports. There are several fun such as skiing, snowboarding, and ice hockey.

Although a little contradictory, eating an ice cream wrapped in a blanket is exceptional. Well, maybe I just like ice cream.