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APR. MAY. 2021 V tourist destination. In the summer of 2021, everything suggests that the great watershed in tourist flows will be immunity. Which will have to be certified in some way. VACCINATED “FREE”, BUT WITH RULES Greece was the first to come along, declaring in February that “doors are open to immunised people” to save summer tourism. The risk, however, is not only that of a “geo-generational class war” between those who have obtained the precious vaccine and those who are still waiting for it, with the elderly finally free to move and young people at home and at risk, albeit slight. Because it is now clear that the restrictions will have to remain: the first recommendations for the “fully vaccinated” (two weeks after the last dose) of the CDC (the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at the forefront in the identification and management of infectious emergencies in the world) are to maintain distance and use of masks in gatherings or assemblies, in the presence of people at risk or three or more households. Green light instead and no mask among vaccinated people. They are reasonably sure of not falling seriously ill, but potentially infectious to the unvaccinated. The sense of (one’s own) safety at the expense of one’s neighbour, whether a neighbour on the bus or a young waiter in the dining room, is highly likely. For this reason, the rules on distance and masks should remain in force until the coveted herd immunity (achievable in July, according to Thierry Breton, EU commissioner in charge of the task force on vaccines or in September according to the plan of the Draghi government). OUTSIDE THE HOME AS A SAFEGUARD Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, there are already plans to vaccinate the under-30s, and the government is thinking of requiring a health “licence” to enter pubs: a way to encourage younger people, who are less sensitive to the serious consequences of the disease and more hesitant to get vaccinated. A problem that has already sprung up in Israel for the under-35s. Research by Imperial College London found that while 99% of the over-80s accept vaccination, the percentage drops to 83 in the 18- 29 age group. At the moment, rather than an obligation, which would be difficult to justify under the rule of law, the idea is to leave the decision up to the managers of establishments. After all, the “licence” could become proof of the safety of the premises and additional protection for those who work there, but an imposition from above would be seen by many as yet another restriction after a disastrous year. In the UK, some pub chains have already spoken out against it, thinking of the typical passing customer who would be turned away by such a requirement. After all, there are two sides to every coin in this story, as we have often seen. Experiments have already been carried out in Israel when in March, with 40% of the population having received at least the first dose, bars, restaurants and gyms opened to holders of the “green card” in possession of the vaccinated or those who could prove their immunity having already contracted Covid19. The rules? Inside the restaurant, two metres between tables and no more than 75% occupancy, and 100 covers outside. The law does not allow to require that employees are also vaccinated. PROTECTING EMPLOYEES Yet the idea of vaccinating hospitality workers seems crucial to the safe recovery of tourism. In some American states, such as New York and Colorado, restaurant employees can already book themselves in for vaccinations at the end of March using the network of pharmacies and supermarkets. While Greece, with ‘Operation Freedom’, aims to vaccinate all adults on 69 Aegean islands by April. A “practical and psychological” help for exhausted workers in the tourism sector, as Dimitris Grillis, manager of a small hotel in Patmos, explained to the Guardian: “Just the idea that we will be without Covid takes away a lot of the uncertainty and will help motivate the staff”. A path announced for some time and finally taken by the governor of Campania Vincenzo De Luca who, first in Italy, has decided to vaccinate all adults in the most “interesting” tourist areas, starting with the island of Ischia. This decision has sparked controversy in an Italy still lagging behind in vaccinating the over-80s. The national strategy currently follows the priority by age and fragile subjects. What is certain is that in the coming months there will be no return to the way things were before, neither in terms of behaviour - health regulations are now a priority - nor in terms of turnover: NPD predicts that in order to return to “approaching pre-crisis levels” it will be necessary to wait until 2022. What bodes well? The summer is approaching and the desire to go out and live again, in earnest, is great and the customer, near or far, young or old, is ready to cross the threshold of the restaurant. It’s up to us to welcome them, as always, in the best possible way. With a few extra (health) precautions. ______________________________ BOX Keen to get going again: what the EU vaccine patent will look like An international digital certificate to get your travels off to a safe start. This is the idea on which the European Commission and the WHO are working. In an interview with French radio station RTL, EU Commissioner for Vaccines Thierry Breton suggested a date for