The European Commission does not have authority over the management of health and tourism as these are not matters delegated to it.
However, given the prevailing confusion, it took the responsibility to break the silence and clarify recommendations for the management of Christmas celebrations to prevent COVID from persisting over time with all the well-known economic and social consequences. Strict recommendations, although not mandatory.*
In other words, take heed.
“We do not want to cancel Christmas, we want to make it safe for everyone,” stated the European Commissioner for Health Stella Kyriakides after the latest confrontation with the EU health ministers, before presenting the recommendations from the Berlaymont building, the Commission’s headquarters.
In summary: do not relax restrictions; the night curfew must be maintained; masses yes but no large ceremonies and no singing, which are vehicles of contagion; mandatory use of masks.
Clear criteria for family gatherings
In other words, they should: “Consider not allowing mass gatherings and define clear criteria for exceptions, such as the maximum number of people permitted for social gatherings indoors and outdoors and specific control measures.”
And “clear criteria” are also needed for family lunches and dinners, with the “maximum number of people allowed to ensure compliance with physical distancing rules” to be established.
And in all cases, “any temporary relaxation of rules on gatherings and social events should be accompanied by strict requirements for people to self-isolate before and after the event for a number of days (preferably at least seven).”
Masses with limited attendance and without singing
Masses yes but no large functions; also consider the possibility of following religious services online or on TV and radio; no singing, which is a vehicle of contagion; mandatory use of masks; organize so that family members can sit next to each other in the place of worship.
Remote working and online school before and after the holidays
“Employers are encouraged to allow remote work from home or the place where employees are spending the holidays, for a few days before and after the holidays, preferably around seven days”, so that “each employee can observe self-isolation before seeing family members and before returning to the office”. The same logic applies to schools: “To reduce the risk of contagion in school in the period following the Christmas holidays, consider extending the school holidays or introducing a period of online classes.”
Furthermore: efforts should be made to spend the holidays with a limited number of people, the so-called “domestic bubble,” avoiding expanding social contacts. The Commission encourages member states to “implement measures to ensure adequate care for vulnerable people, particularly in the case of restrictions and closures, for example, elderly people living alone or in care homes, and people with disabilities.”
On the other hand, not a word about the opening or closing of ski resorts, which is causing so much debate at this time, and in France will be decided on December 11 after numerous meetings between hospitality and ski industry leaders.
For now, we know that in Austria, ski lifts will reopen on December 24 but only for residents, while hotels will remain closed until January 6.
