Come middle June 2020, after months of lockdowns, countries are preparing to lift some coronavirus-related travel restrictions and allow tourism to resume. This will be done cautiously with security measures and limitations. Those measures include updating health protocols for hotels and public transit and expanding contact-tracing.
The United Kingdom, France and Ireland have agreed to allow travel among the countries without requiring a 14-day quarantine in the final destination.
Spain
Summer will be very different in the Spanish beach town of Canet d’en Berenguer, officials are accounting for social distancing with a system allowing beachgoers to book appointments on the sand via a mobile app.
Beaches with social distancing grid.
The beach will be divided into a grid of socially distanced sites, with staggered arrival times and the option to choose either a morning or afternoon slot, but not both. The restrictions will allow for a maximum of 5,000 people per day, about half of the beach’s normal capacity.
Iceland
When Iceland opens its border on June 15 to welcome tourists, they will require all visitors to either take a covid-19 test, agree to a two-week quarantine or present official documentation of a recent negative test. Regardless of which option they choose, tourists will have to download a contact-tracing app.
Greece
Greece will open to tourists a bit later, starting July 1, probably without the usual packed nightlife scene. Solo or socially distanced small-group activities, such as kayaking and boating, will be encouraged instead. Tourism in Greece will be slightly different from previous years but visitors will still have a fantastic experience. International travellers will have to enter through Athens and submit to a health screening, which includes a rapid covid-19 test.
Mexico
Beaches across Mexico will open to tourists starting in June, with multiple phases of reopening continuing through July and August. Los Cabos, the tip of the Baja California peninsula will allow for limited travel beginning June 1, as health screenings and enhanced sanitation measures ramp up to accommodate more tourists.
‘…enhanced sanitation measures…’
The Los Cabos tourism board will look to open many of the area’s hotels and, eventually, the international terminal at its airport, provided the new safety protocols are effective in preventing the spread of the virus.
Australia and New Zealand
Australia and New Zealand are experimenting with the idea of a ‘travel bubble’ that would allow tourists to travel freely between the countries. The bubble, however, would apply only to residents of the two countries; the focus is on making sure that both countries are in the position to manage covid-19 to a point where they can confidently open borders. For now, international tourists have to wait.
We hope to see more countries opening up for tourism, of course, with health and safety the top priority.
While traveling for fun is currently not a choice we have, we were wondering what you are doing for fun while at home.
Small discoveries We have changed our routines during lockdown and have made some small discoveries during this time. While stretching our legs and walking around the block every day we noticed little details not seen before; a fake painted door on a building around the corner and a house with old candle holders that were once used as part of the street lighting.
“Don’t let the lockdown slow you down.”
Don’t let the lockdown slow you down, here are a few family activities for you to participate in while at home. Children are probably the most creative and attention-seeking creatures during this time; enjoy these fun activities with them while keeping them busy.
Arts and crafts Collect all the unused arts and crafts equipment lying around and bring out the artists in the family. You can paint portraits of each other, knit something or make something with paper clips and unused cardboards. There is so much you can do, don’t worry if you feel nervous, you will get inspiration from each other.
An indoor garden You can start a mini-garden at home; all you need is basic farming tools and a few seeds! When you visit the grocery store purchase veggies and spices that are suitable for your new home garden. Get creative with the seeds!
A home-made movie Yes, you can create your own family movie; simply gather and sort all your photos of the family and create an interesting slideshow that takes you through your travels together. Unlock and ignite happy memories together; your slideshow will definitely bring smiles to everyone’s face.
A little home gym Most gyms are closed but that shouldn’t stop you from keeping your children fit. You don’t need any special equipment for this; just use what you have. Use couch pillows as landing places for simple handstands and cartwheel exercises. You can face two couches together to create a mini playground. Remember to keep a close eye on the little ones because they can get too creative!
Some puzzles and games We are sure you’ve got a couple of games packed away somewhere, now is the time to bring them out and have a joyful fun day. Children love games and you can never go wrong with fun games that are stimulating and create a fun environment rather than a competitive one.
Until we can travel, have fun while you stay safe at home!
COVID-19 has taken its toll on almost every continent, forced countries into states of emergency, sent individuals into quarantine and isolation, and shut businesses and schools. Despite this there are inspirational stories of the youth who are rising up to meet the challenge.
We are all living in a new environment; the coronavirus has made new expressions like social distancing and self-isolation common but even as young people face unprecedented worries, they are rising up to make a difference. The young people deserve attention.
We will get through this crisis, and when we do, history will show the young people who helped to bridge the world from fear to hope and from confusion to understanding. These young people are reminding us to stick together, even when we’re all apart. Their courage gives us confidence and inspiration to remember there is light that will shine.
Nelson Kwaje from South Sudan tackles misinformation on COVID-19. Nelson Kwaje, a 28-year old with a background in tech and peace-building, helped to initiate a digital community of youth working in various fields who collaborate to fight misinformation and raise awareness on coronavirus prevention and protection. Using the #COVID19SS hashtag, their work exposes false facts, disputes unfounded remedies or cures, doctored images and any information that could confuse and mislead the public.
Vittorio Foglio from Switzerland is taking supplies to and keeping company with the elderly. Vittorio Foglio, one of the leaders of Geneva’s Perceval Scouts, felt that, as a scout, he had a mandate to help people. This led him to mobilize his fellow scouts to support elderly communities by reducing the need for them to leave their homes and risk exposure.
‘… assuring the elderly that they care about their wellbeing …’
With teams of people taking phone and email requests and teams delivering supplies, the Perceval Scouts are assuring the elderly that they care about their wellbeing. This response to the needs of the elderly has curbed the spread of the virus.
Christian Achaleke from Cameroon is producing bottles of disinfectant. When the first cases of coronavirus were discovered in Cameroon, 26-year old Christian Achaleke, who works in development, realized that contingencies for containment and management had to be set up. He and his officemates bought ingredients for disinfectant, followed the World Health Organisation’s recipe, and tested the mixture.
‘… a campaign to offer hand sanitizer to people on the streets …’
They then devised a plan to launch a campaign to offer hand sanitizer to people on the streets, while engaging people to be aware of the risks surrounding the spread of the virus. He reached out to medical and development professionals throughout the country to help him develop this idea, which became the 1 Person 1 Hand Sanitizer Campaign. He moved his project into a laboratory and engaged pharmacists, doctors, sanitation engineers and nurses to help. Christian is making sure that awareness-raising to curb the spread of the virus helps people to clean their hands, and to clear away misinformation that can cost lives.
Wevyn Muganda and Suhayl Omar from Kenya are supporting members of the community. Based on the concept of mutual aid, which relies on communities working together to ensure well-being, Wevyn Muganda, an activist and writer, and Suhayl Omar, a community organizer, journalist and student, founded Mutual Aid Kenya to provide aid to vulnerable people.
‘… Kenyans were well informed of the potential risks …’
When the first case of COVID-19 was discovered in Kenya, Wevyn began engaging in digital advocacy, making sure that fellow Kenyans were well informed of the potential risks and solutions. When it became more apparent that several members of the population were ill-prepared and ill-supported, she and Suhayl knew they had to do more, and the two began working together, leading to the creation of Mutual Aid Kenya.
Dana Shubat from Syria is coordinating awareness initiatives with civil society volunteers. In a push to supplement struggling official responses, many civil society groups have taken it upon themselves to ensure that Syrians are prepared for COVID-19. Dana Shubat has lent herself to this effort. She participated in a mask and hand sanitizers distribution campaign that took place in the 10 days leading up to the quarantine.
‘… translated COVID-19 manuals into Arabic …’
She has taken to social media to provide correct information and sources to the public, posting over 100 times a day on various pages and profiles. Dana is using the knowledge that she gained as a medical student to support engineers who are designing medical supplies to help fill the gaps in the country’s health care system. She also provides support to special needs students via WhatsApp while continuing her role as a volunteer for the Special Olympics. Dana’s work extends even further, she has translated COVID-19 manuals into Arabic aiming to solve problems related to the COVID-19 crisis.
Inés Yabar from Peru is spreading sense about the virus. Ines Yabar’s work tackles the spread of misinformation and the lack of resources for vulnerable citizens.
‘… alleviate people’s stress and anxiety …’
Just 25 years old, Ines helped to create a subscription-based service that regularly provides people with the accurate, helpful information about COVID-19 that they want and need. She is also a part of the ‘Heal the World’ initiative which aims to alleviate people’s stress and anxiety through kindness and positivity.
An outbreak of generosity from Nourhene Mahmoudi of Italy. After seeing the sudden and complete lockdowns, and the increasing number of isolated and vulnerable people, Nourhene Mahmoudi felt compelled to act to support his nation. He and other young volunteers launched Outbreak of Generosity which empowers young people to better their communities.
‘… mobilize youth to provide help to vulnerable communities …’
After undergoing an advocacy training, the Outbreak of Generosity campaign was launched with a comprehensive toolkit, translated into 14 languages that helps mobilize youth to provide help to vulnerable communities in a safe and proactive manner. With volunteers from 12 different countries and a strong social media presence, Outbreak of Generosity has been able to help and inspire a large number of people in Europe.
The Ndlovu Youth Choir from South Africa is using entertainment to raise awareness. The arts may seem like a luxury at a time of crisis when, in fact, performances can be part of the solution. The Ndlovu Youth Choir, a South African youth choir composed, performed and filmed a musical rendition of the World Health Organization’s coronavirus safety advice.
‘… various communities in their country
were well informed and safe …’
Featuring translations of certain key points in various South African languages, the choir composed the song to ensure that the various communities in their country were well informed and safe during the spread of the outbreak. The video was even shared by Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, World Health Organization’s Secretary-General!
Xian Lu from China is cooking for Wuhan’s medical professionals. The focus of Covid-19 is mostly on patients, but their lives could not be saved without the heroic health workers who risk their own safety to help others.
‘… medical professionals were rarely
able to eat warm, home cooked meals …’
In Wuhan, between the long working hours and closed restaurants, medical professionals were rarely able to eat warm, home cooked meals. This inspired 24-year old Xian Lu to move to Wuhan and volunteer to cook meals for the city’s medical staff, despite the danger to her health. In 40 days, she cooked over 20,000 meals, often cooking up to 400 meals a day. Xian has become a viral sensation in China, and an inspiration to many around the world, young and old alike.
Scouts in Haiti are creating awareness and hand washing campaigns. Water and soap are among the most powerful weapons to fight the coronavirus. In Haiti, Scout groups are working to support the country to combat the spread of the virus.
‘… singing catchy songs …’
As many communities struggle to access clean water and information on the virus, the Scouts have been traveling to and around the capital, Port-au-Prince, to reach out to people by singing catchy songs made to highlight preventive measures and symptoms. The Scouts carry portable sinks around and install hand washing stations to give Haitians alternatives to contaminated water sources. These Scouts help combat the spread of the virus and encourage people to be aware of the measures that they can take to contribute.
While traveling for fun is currently not a choice we have, we were wondering what you are doing for fun while at home.
COVID-19 has taken its toll on almost every continent, forced countries into states of emergency, sent individuals into quarantine and isolation, and shut businesses and schools. Despite this there are inspirational stories of the youth who are rising up to meet the challenge.
