Citizens can enjoy summer vacations in France says French PM; announces €18 billion tourism package

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe has announced a tourism support package of €18billion in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tourism is a major part of the country’s economy and until last year, France was the most visited country in the world. Considering all the, the PM announced such a package to bring tourism back.

The PM, addressing the media, also said “The French will be able to go on holiday in France in July and August, and will be able to take up their [holiday] bookings.” He also assured the public that if they could go ahead with their plans in the worst case scenario, then their holiday bookings would be refunded.
Emphasising on the importance of tourism, the PM said that the tourism industry currently is going through its “toughest trial in modern history and whatever strikes tourism, strikes at the heart of France.

Édouard Philippe: "Notre objectif c'est que les cafés et la restauration puissent rouvrir dès le 2 juin dans les départements restés en vert" pic.twitter.com/x9DUjfpRHx

— BFMTV (@BFMTV) May 14, 2020

From Monday, France has started lifting its nationwide lockdown. A few shops have reopened and kids are also returning to school gradually. Residents are also allowed to move around freely without a permission slip or any other restrictions.

However, the country's hotels, bars and restaurants will still remain closed until June 2. A final date to reopen the hospitality sector would be decided around the week of May 25th.

“Reopening as of June 2 can be envisaged in green départments, if the epidemic situation does not deteriorate,” said the PM.

Till now, France has recorded 179506 positive virus cases and 27529 have lost their lives and it is one of the worst hit destinations by the Coronavirus pandemic.