French cafes reopen as EU says will allow vaccinated travellers
Published: 09:05 PM,May 19,2021 | EDITED : 07:05 PM,May 19,2021
PARIS: The French returned to their beloved cafe terraces on Wednesday, while the EU said it would open its borders to vaccinated travellers as life crept back to normal in Europe after months of punishing restrictions.
But India was still grappling with its spiralling outbreak, as it once again hit a record daily number of coronavirus deaths and hospitals struggled to keep up with climbing cases.
As health workers administered the world’s 1.5 billionth Covid-19 vaccine dose, there was hope that immunisation campaigns will allow countries to finally emerge from the pandemic.
The EU said on Wednesday it would allow fully vaccinated visitors into the bloc and increase the level of new cases that a country can hit before being declared unsafe — a measure that would open up travel into Europe from more places.
It was the latest step towards return to normal in Europe that in recent days has seen Britain open pubs, gyms and other indoor venues, Italy relax curfews and Portugal welcome returning tourists.
France joined the party on Wednesday, allowing outdoor dining at cafes and restaurants, as well as visits to museums, cinemas and theatres after six months of restrictions and ahead of a full reopening of the economy on June 30.
“It feels good. There is a sense of euphoria in the city centre,” said Patricia Marchand, a manager of the Cafe des Feuilles in the northwestern city of Rennes.
In Paris, demand for tickets to a Renaissance sculpture show was brisk at the world’s most visited museum, the Louvre.
Austria also relaxed measures on Wednesday, reopening restaurants and bars after six months — but only for those who have tested negative, have received at least one vaccine shot or have recovered from coronavirus.
“It feels strange after so many months,” 46-year-old Christoph Neubauer said over coffee in Vienna with a colleague.
“But I really look forward to tonight, because I have a reservation for a restaurant.”
And in New York, rules requiring masks and social distancing are also set to ease, although some residents remained cautious.
“I think it is too early,” said Manhattan restaurant manager Juan Rosas, who plans to still require masks, even for vaccinated patrons.
“I think they rushed the decision.”
VACCINATIONS SPEED UP
The slow rebirth of communal life in Europe and the US is being fuelled by now quickening vaccination programmes, after more than a year of battling a pandemic that is known to have claimed nearly 3.4 million deaths worldwide.
According to an AFP tally, more than 1.5 billion vaccine doses have now been administered in 210 countries and territories.
Nearly three-fifths of the total has been given in three countries: China (421.9 million), the United States (274.4 million) and India (184.4 million). — AFP
But India was still grappling with its spiralling outbreak, as it once again hit a record daily number of coronavirus deaths and hospitals struggled to keep up with climbing cases.
As health workers administered the world’s 1.5 billionth Covid-19 vaccine dose, there was hope that immunisation campaigns will allow countries to finally emerge from the pandemic.
The EU said on Wednesday it would allow fully vaccinated visitors into the bloc and increase the level of new cases that a country can hit before being declared unsafe — a measure that would open up travel into Europe from more places.
It was the latest step towards return to normal in Europe that in recent days has seen Britain open pubs, gyms and other indoor venues, Italy relax curfews and Portugal welcome returning tourists.
France joined the party on Wednesday, allowing outdoor dining at cafes and restaurants, as well as visits to museums, cinemas and theatres after six months of restrictions and ahead of a full reopening of the economy on June 30.
“It feels good. There is a sense of euphoria in the city centre,” said Patricia Marchand, a manager of the Cafe des Feuilles in the northwestern city of Rennes.
In Paris, demand for tickets to a Renaissance sculpture show was brisk at the world’s most visited museum, the Louvre.
Austria also relaxed measures on Wednesday, reopening restaurants and bars after six months — but only for those who have tested negative, have received at least one vaccine shot or have recovered from coronavirus.
“It feels strange after so many months,” 46-year-old Christoph Neubauer said over coffee in Vienna with a colleague.
“But I really look forward to tonight, because I have a reservation for a restaurant.”
And in New York, rules requiring masks and social distancing are also set to ease, although some residents remained cautious.
“I think it is too early,” said Manhattan restaurant manager Juan Rosas, who plans to still require masks, even for vaccinated patrons.
“I think they rushed the decision.”
VACCINATIONS SPEED UP
The slow rebirth of communal life in Europe and the US is being fuelled by now quickening vaccination programmes, after more than a year of battling a pandemic that is known to have claimed nearly 3.4 million deaths worldwide.
According to an AFP tally, more than 1.5 billion vaccine doses have now been administered in 210 countries and territories.
Nearly three-fifths of the total has been given in three countries: China (421.9 million), the United States (274.4 million) and India (184.4 million). — AFP