Leading European low-cost airline Ryanair has called on governments to adopt the “traffic light” system for travel throughout the European Union.
In a statement supporting the initiative, due to be discussed at a EU Council meeting in Brussels next Tuesday (13 October), Ryanair said, “Europe’s aviation and tourism industries cannot suffer any delay to the adoption of this new system, as millions of jobs are at risk as Europe moves into a very difficult winter season. This common EU framework will help restore confidence in air travel and end the contradictory different national policies across Europe that have damaged customer demand.”
Under the system, overseen by the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC), safe travel to and from 15 countries listed as “green” and “amber” would be allowed with no restrictions. For 15 countries listed as “red”, restrictions such as testing pre-departure/on arrival would remain in place. The new system also recommends that member states apply a regional approach where possible to ensure regions (such as Murcia) or islands with low levels of COVID-19 are not penalised.
According to Ryanair, health experts (including the WHO and ECDC) “confirm that quarantines don’t work, and air travel represents minimal risk for the spread of the virus. In fact, Ryanair has carried over 16.5 million passengers this summer with zero inflight transmissions. The adoption of the EU ‘traffic light’ system will allow families to re-unite and businesses to thrive, as the world recovers from the COVID-19 crisis.”
In urging all EU governments to adopt the system without delay, Ryanair CEO Eddie Wilson said, “The implementation of this coordinated regional approach will help restore consumer confidence ahead of a difficult winter season, and also allow all airlines to plan for summer 2021, with millions of jobs dependent on the recovery of our aviation and tourism sectors.”
Top Futsal Action in Murcia
Meanwhile, Murcia authorities say this weekend’s UEFA’s Futsal Champions League final four competition will highlight the region’s status as a “Safe Tourism Certified” destination. Local team ElPozo Murcia Costa Cálida FS is competing against FC Barcelona (Barça) and Russian teams Tyumen and KPRF from today (Friday) until Sunday (11 October) at the Palau Blaugrana stadium in Barcelona.
During an official presentation to send off ElPozo Murcia Costa Cálida team members, minister for tourism, youth and sport Cristina Sánchez said, “This event is going to attract significant media attention and focus on the ‘Costa Cálida-Murcia Region: Safe Destination’ brand through the team, which is a standard-bearer for the sport, both nationally and internationally.”