The EU on Monday proposed easing Covid-19 restrictions for fully vaccinated tourists or those from countries where infection rates are low.
The move would kick-start summer holidays in Europe and provide some respite for beleaguered travel operators throughout the region.
It’s “time to revive the EU tourism industry and for cross-border friendships to rekindle – safely,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.
Europe is showing signs of gaining control of its third wave thanks to lockdowns and its stuttering vaccination drive gaining momentum.
The proposals require approval from a weighted majority of the bloc’s 27 member states and could be adopted as soon as the end of May, a commission official said.
How new EU travel restrictions will work
The new parameters would replace a year-long blanket ban for non-essential travel to the EU for residents of all but a handful of countries.
Under the proposals, member states would be obliged to accept proof for all shots approved in the EU, including those produced by Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson.
National governments would have the discretion to accept shots that have cleared the WHO emergency use listing process, but they can’t recognise other vaccines on their own.
This means people inoculated with Russia’s Sputnik or the Sinopharm and Sinovac shots from China would not be allowed to travel freely to the EU solely based on their immunisation status.
The new rules include a so-called emergency brake which would allow member states to restore travel bans on countries where risky new variants emerge or contagion rates surge.
In such an event only essential workers, such as diplomats and healthcare staff, would be allowed entry, and even then they would be subject to strict testing and quarantine requirements.
A commission official told reporters in Brussels that Israel would definitely be on the list, while decisions on UK residents would depend on reciprocity, adding further intrigue to the UK's yet-to be-released green travel list.
The commission will draw up a list of approved vaccination certificates issued by non-EU countries.
Discussions with Washington aim to pave the way for a uniform certificate that meets the EU’s security and accuracy standards, the commission official said.
More on travel
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Will the pandemic turn us into more conscious travellers?
Seven ways coronavirus will change the way we travel
Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
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Notable salonnières of the Middle East through history
Al Khasan (Okaz, Saudi Arabia)
Tamadir bint Amr Al Harith, known simply as Al Khasan, was a poet from Najd famed for elegies, earning great renown for the eulogy of her brothers Mu’awiyah and Sakhr, both killed in tribal wars. Although not a salonnière, this prestigious 7th century poet fostered a culture of literary criticism and could be found standing in the souq of Okaz and reciting her poetry, publicly pronouncing her views and inviting others to join in the debate on scholarship. She later converted to Islam.
Maryana Marrash (Aleppo)
A poet and writer, Marrash helped revive the tradition of the salon and was an active part of the Nadha movement, or Arab Renaissance. Born to an established family in Aleppo in Ottoman Syria in 1848, Marrash was educated at missionary schools in Aleppo and Beirut at a time when many women did not receive an education. After touring Europe, she began to host salons where writers played chess and cards, competed in the art of poetry, and discussed literature and politics. An accomplished singer and canon player, music and dancing were a part of these evenings.
Princess Nazil Fadil (Cairo)
Princess Nazil Fadil gathered religious, literary and political elite together at her Cairo palace, although she stopped short of inviting women. The princess, a niece of Khedive Ismail, believed that Egypt’s situation could only be solved through education and she donated her own property to help fund the first modern Egyptian University in Cairo.
Mayy Ziyadah (Cairo)
Ziyadah was the first to entertain both men and women at her Cairo salon, founded in 1913. The writer, poet, public speaker and critic, her writing explored language, religious identity, language, nationalism and hierarchy. Born in Nazareth, Palestine, to a Lebanese father and Palestinian mother, her salon was open to different social classes and earned comparisons with souq of where Al Khansa herself once recited.
