"
These stories of coronavirus have gone on for too long, we really want to travel again
".
Many French people, like Antonin, a 31-year-old Parisian graphic designer, were delighted at the idea of spending the end of year celebrations abroad.
Trips often planned for a long time and which find themselves in the hot seat because of the deterioration of sanitary conditions and the appearance of the worrying variant Omicron.
Asked at the microphone of France Inter this morning, the Secretary of State for European Affairs, Clément Beaune, wanted to reassure future tourists: "
I am certainly not telling them to cancel
", he insisted , promising that "we are
not going to close the European borders
".
Read alsoThe Omicron variant already detected in a dozen countries in Europe and Asia
At the moment, those who have chosen a destination within the Schengen area say they are calm.
This is the case of Brigitte and Michel, a couple in their sixties who must spend the Christmas holidays in Assisi in Italy: "
we were vaccinated and everything
", explains Brigitte, who says she is therefore "
confident
".
As proof, they have already booked the plane tickets, the Airbnb and the car on the spot, without taking out cancellation insurance.
"
At worst, we hope that in the event of border closure we will at least be partly reimbursed,
" she says.
Trust within Europe
Satisfaction also for Antonin.
With his parents, sister and children, they used to spend the holidays in Marrakech.
Exceptionally, because of the health context, they had wisely aimed at an easier destination: Seville in Spain.
With the closure of the borders decided by the Shereefian kingdom, we welcome this foresight: "
clearly we say to ourselves that we have done well
", he laughs.
For him, as for all the people questioned, we are concerned exclusively with a closure of borders or a return to restrictions.
The risk of being contaminated seems to be remote.
“
My 67-year-old parents took their third dose and we have an appointment soon,
” explains Antonin.
Read alsoThird dose, health pass, tests, mask: the measures that the executive should announce this Thursday
Strangely, the most at risk are not the most stressed.
Still not vaccinated, Nicolas, 27, has no doubts that he will be able to cross borders.
"
I will do a test when entering the country and one when leaving,
" he said blatantly.
Her plan: to go to Aragon for two weeks with a friend (also unvaccinated) in a van.
Well aware of not having a permanent health pass, he has adapted his holidays accordingly: "
we will rather go hiking in the Pyrenees or walks in town but we will avoid restaurants and closed places
", he adds. .
Risk of getting stuck abroad
The difference in concern is palpable between future vacationers who have planned to stay in Europe and those who have to go further afield. Lætitia, 27, sees her two weeks in Cancun, Mexico with a friend become more and more hypothetical. This situation is all the more annoying because if the project dates back several months, the two girls waited until mid-October to get the plane tickets: “
we wanted to avoid unpleasant surprises. We thought that on that date we would see it clearly,
”she squeaks. Result: no insurance coverage. For the moment, only the plane ticket has been purchased, which still represents 700 euros per person. Lætitia remains optimistic "
for the moment we are maintaining
", she said,"
We did not think about a plan B at all
".
Read alsoCovid-19: why is there a fifth wave when we are overwhelmingly vaccinated?
However, it is better not to leave than not to come back.
This is what Najet thinks, whose departure for Zanzibar in Tanzania, normally scheduled for today, has been canceled: "
we prefer to be stuck here than there
", she explains, a philosopher.
