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

22 surfaces such as attractions, entertainment machines, doorknobs, counters, handrails, vending machines, floors, telephones, taps, and other similar elements. 6. Final Thoughts The cooperation of the tourism sector is vital to stop the spread of the virus in Spain in the context of the necessary social distancing measures to combat the pandemic. The suspension of all activities was a necessary measure, even if harrowing due to its impact on the economy and on employment. In this period of social distancing, we have been able to verify that the tourism sector has become involved with society, providing accommodation and restaurant services to all personnel considered essential. It has made hotels available for the care of the sick and/or the elderly and for family who are distancing of healthcare personnel. To avoid bankruptcy in the tourism sector, it is necessary to maintain and, as far as possible, increase aid lines. The most demanded by the sector have been the postponement or delay of the payment of taxes and contributions to Social Security; facilitate business liquidity by expanding the amount of guarantees to 80% of loans for all companies; flexibility in ERTES to temporarily adjust templates; tax breaks on all taxes and fees; enable the renegotiation of tourist asset rentals; etc. Still, the great hope points towards Europe and, on this occasion, it seems that it will not look elsewhere. This is clear from the Commission Communication COM (2020) 456 final “The moment of Europe: repair the damage and prepare the future for the next generation” (DOUE 27/05/2020), which considers that a collective and cohesive recovery accelerating the double ecological and digital transition will only strengthen Europe’s competitiveness, resilience and position as a global player. For this reason, solidarity, cohesion and convergence must set the path for Europe’s recovery – no person, no region, no Member State should be left behind. To achieve this objective, the Commission proposes a new recovery instrument, called “Next Generation EU”, within the framework of a renewed long-term EU budget, with a contribution of 1.85 trillion euros to help relaunch the European economies. All parties involved in tourist destinations will have to prepare to offer safe travel –without setbacks – and allowing some flexibility in bookings for tourists. Travel agencies have an opportunity because of the guarantee that the legal framework represents for consumers. The health crisis and the so-called “transition to the new normal” are generating many standards