Germany plans to keep ski resorts shut until January 2021

Friday, November 27, 2020

Authorities in Germany recently decided to keep ski resorts in Europe closed until early January as part of its efforts to curb the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest news came following the country’s extension of its partial lockdown until December 20. Some of the early coronavirus hotspots were at ski resorts across Europe and spread infections across the continent.

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has already backed delaying the start of the ski season, but has stressed the need for a European solution. Many Italians head for the slopes during Christmas and New Year holiday and the period is a vital part of the local economy for ski resorts across Europe. However, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that ski resorts in France would stay shut until the New Year.

On the other hand, Switzerland is not in the European Union and, unlike other Alpine destinations, its ski resorts are already open, so skiers unable to spend their winter breaks in neighbouring countries is likely head there instead. Austria has also expressed concerns over the plan. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in a statement that though the move would not be easy, authorities would certainly try to bring it in action. She mentioned that if Italy decided to shut down all its ski lifts without any support from France, Austria and the other countries, then Italian tourists would risk going abroad and taking the contagion back home.

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