In the tourism and hospitality sector, the Commission asked the European Committee for standardisation to develop, in cooperation with the industry and the Member States, a voluntary health seal to be used by establishments ”, announces the institution in a press release.

In the context of a broader legislative package on the gradual lifting of restrictions in the EU, the community executive adds that the idea is that this seal - similar to the one applied since last year by Turismo de Portugal, Clean & Safe - is “available for the summer ”of 2021. Brussels guarantees that “it will promote EU cultural sites and routes, as well as cultural events and festivals, through a campaign on EU social networks on sustainable cultural tourism ”.

“New initiatives will be supported when conditions permit, through Erasmus + and DiscoverEU, to promote the discovery by young people of Europe's cultural heritage by rail, during the current European Year of Railways”, the institution adds.

At the time of going to press the EC was planning to it outline the way forward with a view to the gradual lifting of restrictions in the EU when the epidemiological situation of covid-19 permits, insisting on the need for coordination. A key element of the legislative proposal is the creation of a digital green certificate - which proves vaccination, negative test or recovery.