The Legal Impacts of COVID-19 in the Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Industry

19 A month earlier, Portugal had promoted an official label certifying that an establishment is “clean and safe” and could be obtained from 24 April at the National Business Registers. Establishments have to follow an internal operating protocol set by the Department of Health, and the certificate is free and is valid for one year. Likewise, it will be necessary for public tourism officials to change many of the management models that have served so far. For instance, they will have to implement sanitary protection and disinfection measures, as well as measures on access and time spent at beaches, museums and monuments; and, in general, in all public shows and recreational activities. In this context, Andalucía’s Government has established safety measures on beaches by Decree-Law 12/2020, of 11 May, obligating the existence of information elements, warning and beacon systems and a rescue service whenever required following this Decree. 5. Transition towards the “New Normal” The fight against the pandemic, following the advice of the WHO, has demanded, among other measures, the confinement of the entire population in their homes, the imposition of limitations on freedom of movement through roads or public spaces, the closure of borders and the suspension of all tourist and leisure activities. Nevertheless, these restrictions cannot last longer than necessary because the repercussions on the economy and on employment would be even worse. Communication 2020/C126/01 from the Commission on the Common European Roadmap for lifting the containment measures of COVID-19 (DOUE 17/04/2020) warns that successfully managing the gradual elimination of confinement measures requires a combination of accompanying measures relevant to all Member States. The proposals include a gradual approach to reopening internal and external borders that ultimately leads to the normal functioning of the Schengen area; and it also foresees a gradual authorisation of concentrations of people, depending on the activity (commerce, restaurants, cafés, festivals, concerts, etc.). The Council of Ministers approved, on 28 April, the Transition Plan towards the New Normality (PTNN), taking into account the principles of the WHO, of 16 April 2020, when it comes to loosening the restrictions of confinement, specifically: 1) breaking the transmission chain; 2) have sufficient sanitary resources; 3) minimise risks in places with a high potential for