I have always been a firm believer in policies which are informed by research-based evidence and professionals in the field. Any policy otherwise created often ends up in a waste of time and resources and fails to reach its intended scope.

This has never been more important than in our fight against the ongoing pandemic. The decisions taken by the Maltese government in this regard have been successful simply because they were backed by qualified public health experts. They were also successful because the State’s priorities were in order. In a public health crisis, the first priority has always been the safeguarding of each and every individual’s health – anything else comes in second.

This must not change. I will never support decisions which put public health at risk or dismantle the safety net government has managed to build thanks to its speedy response to the crisis. However, now that the first shock is behind us, what lies ahead may be even trickier to navigate.

Experts all around the globe are united in their opinion that the Coronavirus will be a feature of our lives for the foreseeable future, far beyond any total or partial lockdown and a return to our old way of life seems next to impossible. Now is the time, therefore, to plan our new normal.

As islanders, any semblance of normality has to include the easing of travel restrictions, be it maritime or aviation. We must, however, ensure that the resumption of travel occurs in the safest and most responsible manner possible.

Within the Transport and Tourism Committee at the European Parliament, I have stressed this point heavily among my colleagues. COVID-19 fatigue is inevitable and the urge to return to our known way of life is completely understandable. Nonetheless, we must remain cautious. I am convinced that we can resume our travels, if and only if, we introduce safe travel corridors and take strong precautionary and safety measures based on public health recommendations.

It is inevitable that these measures will continue to have a considerable economic burden on enterprises in the travel and tourism sector. Even once some form of travel occurs, the initial rhythm will be sluggish and demand will be much lower than what we had been used to.

This is why the EU’s response and recovery plan must focus heavily on travel and tourism, supporting SMEs, on which so many families rest. Millions of workers across the Union – thousands in Malta and Gozo alone – depend directly on these sectors. A positive new normal should rest on a European recovery plan that protects the fabric of our societies.  

In light of this, for the past month I have led consultation with consumers and business stakeholders and worked for sensible solutions which, firstly, safeguard consumers and secondly, give some much-needed breathing space to operators, while helping protect jobs in the sector. This week, the European Commission has proved us right, recommending that airlines and travel operators offer strong, flexible and advantageous voucher solutions, alongside refund options for cancelled travel plans.

This recommendation is a positive step in the right direction – it symbolises an EU-wide sensible approach that looks beyond the short-term. Likewise, at this most delicate stage for both the Union and member states, I cannot but insist on sensible solutions that heed citizens’ health and wellbeing.

It is only through this approach that we can foster trust in the transport and travel industry. In this sense, we will be able to depart comfortably from our used practices, and instead, create an even stronger, new normal that works for us all.

Josianne Cutajar is a member of the European Parliament