Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1372546
12 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 16 MAY 2021 NEWS What about the COVID-19 passport? The European Commission expects to finish work soon on a COVID-19 certificate to allow citizens to travel more efficient- ly this summer in the 27-nation bloc. The pass would allow those vaccinated, recovered from COVID-19 or with negative test results to cross borders in a un- ion where restrictions on move- ment have weighed heavily on the travel and tourism industry for more than a year. There is still no definitive date as to when this will be launched. France PCR test needed: yes. Quarantine: no. UPON entry into France, a negative PCR test must be pre- sented, which must not be old- er than 72 hours. Travellers must also fill out a declaration stating, for example, that they have no COVID-19 symptoms. According to the Interior Min- istry, travellers from Europe may also enter France without "compelling reasons." The situation in France re- mains tense; the country con- tinues to be high-risk. However, the country has relaxed some of its measures. People are now once again allowed to travel more than ten kilometres from their homes without good rea- son. There is a night-time cur- few from 7 pm to 6 am, which is to be pushed back to 9 pm as of May 19. Outdoor areas of res- taurants and stores and cultural institutions will then also be al- lowed to reopen. Spain PCR test needed: yes. Quarantine: no. ENTRY from EU and Schen- gen-associated states is possible in principle. However, manda- tory testing is still required for entry from high-risk countries, including Malta. However, things are fluid. On Thurs- day, the coun- try's tourism minister said they were aiming to welcome back British tour- ists without the need for a neg- ative COVID test from May 20. It stands to be seen how that change will affect other countries with similar vaccination rates and cases. Portugal PCR test needed: yes. Quarantine: no. THE situation in Portugal has improved. Only the Algarve re- gion, the Azores and Madeira are still considered risk areas. On May 1, for the first time in about five and a half months, t h e state of e m e r - gency was not extended. Restaurants, cafes and bars as well as cine- mas, theatres and other cultural and leisure venues have since been allowed to stay open until 10:30 pm. on weekends. Whether by land or air, all passengers must present a neg- ative PCR test carried out over the previous 72 hours. Greece PCR test needed: yes. Quarantine: no. SINCE May 3, cafés, bars and taverns in Greece have been al- lowed to open their outdoor ar- eas for all guests, whether vac- cinated or not. However, they have to close at 10:45 pm, and an evening curfew then applies from 11 pm onwards. Travel within Greece is not possible without restrictions, but this requirement is to be lifted on May 15. Upon entry, proof of a full vac- cination or a neg- ative PCR test no more than 72 hours old must be p r e s e n t - ed. Fully vaccinated means here that the second vaccination was at least 14 days ago. There is no longer a quaran- tine requirement. Greece plans to open the country to vacationers from EU countries and some other states such as Great Britain and Serbia from May 14 to save the domestic tourism sector. Italy and Sicily PCR test needed: yes. Quarantine: yes, five days – only until mid-may. ITALY is gradually easing the restrictions within the country where a traffic light system is in place. Where infection num- bers are moderate, restaurants and bars are allowed to serve at tables outside in the evening. A curfew continues to apply from 10 pm to 5 am. Entry from most of Europe is allowed in principle, but per- sons arriving from these coun- tries must provide a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 48 hours upon entry, undergo a five-day quarantine, and present another negative test after five days. This regulation runs un- til mid-May. Then a national "green vaccination passport" is to be introduced to be able to travel freely within the country. Cyprus PCR test needed: yes. Quarantine: no. IN Cyprus, Malta is still listed as an orange country. Travellers coming from the orange catego- ry will be required to present a negative result of the PCR test, not older than 72 hours. Planning a trip this summer? Here are the current restrictions on travel Amid the coronavirus pandemic, many countries worldwide continue to restrict entry, and most travel remains discouraged. MaltaToday offers a recap of what rules apply in the EU and ways to get the latest info