A countless number of businesses in the EU depend on tourism and the sector accounts for a big proportion of some nations’ entire economic activity.

After months of COVID-19 lockdowns, the European Commission has unveiled a strategy to gradually lift travel restrictions and allow tourist-dependent outlets and firms to reopen. The commission’s proposals focus on the virus having been brought under control and hospitals being well prepared.

Coronavirus testing and contact tracing are also at the center of the plan. The EU’s executive arm says it is not just about allowing people to go on holiday, it’s a case of trying to save livelihoods.

There is concern that young adults will be particularly impacted by the economic crisis as youth unemployment levels in several EU countries were already high. Activists insist it shouldn’t be forgotten that young people in the EU have clear rights when it comes to housing, education and employment.

In the European Parliament the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has been outlining details of the EU’s COVID-19 economic recovery plan. Lawmakers warn that in its current form it will only pile more misery and poverty on citizens by way of austerity.

Some EU legislators and political commentators are critical of the EU’s overly positive, slick messaging during this crisis. For example, Giles Merritt, the founder of Brussels-based think tank Friends of Europe has issued a statement saying the European Commission is addicted to good news to say nothing of spin, self-indulgent slogans and flashy videos.

Sadly, it’s a preference that may prove fatal to the EU in these times of bad news and worse.

SOURCE: PRESS TV