Austria announced on Wednesday, June 10, it would reopen its border with Italy from June 16th and allow free travel from most other European nations as the country eases its lockdown.
“Yes, we are opening the border. Yes, traveling to Italy will be possible,” Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg told at press conference.
Italy reopened to travelers from Europe on June 3, three months after going into lockdown, but sparse arrivals dimmed hopes of reviving the key tourism industry as the summer season begins.
Friuli Venezia Giulia, the Italian region that borders Austria, governed by M. Fedriga were not pleased. Especially because last week Austria relaxed restrictions for travel to some neighboring states but had excluded Italy, as one of the countries worst hit by the pandemic in Europe.
However, from June 16, Austria will welcome travelers from 31 countries without restrictions, including most of Europe. Notable exceptions are Sweden, Spain, Portugal and the United Kingdom, Schallenberg said. A travel warning will also stay in place for Lombardy, which emerged as a hotspot during the pandemic, and Austrians have been urged not to travel there.
“If you’re packing your suitcase, please don’t forget to take your common sense too,” Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg told a press conference.
Austria was among the first in the EU to announce March 10 that it was closing its borders with Italy to fight the spread of the new coronavirus pandemic. The followed Slovenia. As unique as FVG bordering these two European countries, it is also a startling example of European politics.
By In Trieste
