GERMANY has warned the EU not to open countries to tourists too soon, or risk further outbreaks.
Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said being too eager in welcoming international travellers could result in another “infection cluster” seen at busy resorts.
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He told local media: “A European race to see who will allow tourism travel first will lead to unacceptable risks.”
He added that countries have “already experienced what an infection cluster in a popular holiday destination can do,” in reference to the Austrian ski resort which was accused of being the “breeding ground” for coronavirus.
The foreign minister called for a “a set of common criteria” that countries should follow when discussing the return of tourism, explaining that travel restrictions could be extended even longer if they don’t.
Countries are already ending their lockdowns – Spain is easing their restrictions next week with normality starting from May 4, although tourism isn’t expected until June.
Austria is also easing their lockdown, with borders to the Czech Republic and Germany being opened and are even re-opening their ski resorts again.
Yet Germany is already preparing for a second bout of coronavirus – Gerald Gass, president of the German Hospitals Society (DKG), said: “Germany is prepared for a possible second wave.
“In the coming months, we plan to keep around 20 per cent of our beds with respiratory assistance free.”
Experts have called a second wave “inevitable” and could be even deadlier if it hits during flu season.
This is something China has already experienced, having recently lifted their lockdown after being the first country to report coronavirus.
Swimming pools and gyms are being told to close again after being open for only a few weeks after a spike in cases was confirmed.
While countries in Europe are considering ending their lockdowns, it is unlikely that British tourists will be welcomed back any time soon.
Many destinations are only allowing holidaymakers from countries which have “handled the crisis well”.
Cases of coronavirus in the UK have hit 150,000, the highest in Europe behind Spain, Italy, France and Germany.
Germany’s death toll is also much lower at approximately 6,000, compared to the UK’s 21,000.
According to the Balearics Tourism minister Iago Negueruela, the local government is cautiously optimistic about opening up in August, with 25 per cent of their usual visitor numbers.
Mr Negueruela said: “There are countries like the United Kingdom that have taken too long to adopt containment measures and that also puts us in a different situation with respect to them.”
Cyprus is also encouraging tourists from Germany, Greece, and the Netherlands to book holidays according to the Financial Mirror, and not the UK.
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