#loveisnottourism
Thousands international not married couples have been separated by the pandemic restriction to contain the spread of the virus and cannot meet: #loveisnottourism is the appeal they are making
Almost all of us have experienced the isolation of lockdown during the recent months: being closed in our own home, with no opportunity to meet friends, relatives and partners. We all know how frustrating the situation is.
Fortunately, we have seen a break: gradually the restrictions were reduced more and more and we could start meeting our beloved ones again, firstly, and then, since June, have started travelling again, at least in Europe.
Who can say about the feeling of freedom felt when we met again? And what about the first flight taken to go on holiday?
Unfortunately, there are still people, couples, who are not married, who cannot meet yet.
Europe opened the borders in June and people could start travelling, but there are places where, with no certified reason, is still not possible to go.
A certified reason can be working or meeting relatives (children or spouse): a non-official relationship is not a valid motivation to travel during the pandemic.
Not Tourism but LOVE
There are couples all over the world suffering from the distance from their partner and asking in a loud voice to be heard by governments and institutions.
What they ask is to join their family, not the formal one, but the one they would like to build and cannot in this moment.
People separated for months, in many places, have launched many campaigns with the same hashtag: #loveisnottourism.
The concept behind the slogan is that everyone understands the reasons why travelling is not yet possible, but having a stable relationship is not tourism: it means having a plan together and building something: a house, a life project, a family. This is not tourism: this is everyday life.
“It is obvious that we must halt tourism to protect us and others, but love is not tourism. This is not just about a summer holiday, it is about mental health and the future of people all around the world.”
https://www.loveisnottourism.org/
“It is about mental health”: the concept of the family and staying together with the most loved one, in a situation like the one we are all living is fundamental for the emotional balance.
“This is not just about summer holiday”, it is about life.
What about safety measures?
They are aware of the situation and they are “willing to submit to appropriate safety regulations:
- A self-paid test upon arrival
- A quarantine on 14 days
- A quarantine until negative test, if necessary
All normal safety measure we are already submitting.
Who can meet?
Fortunately, the movement had results for some counties, whose citizens can now travel and fly to their spouse, proving it. It is not yet clear, in some countries, what kind of proofs to produce.
Nevertheless, some other countries still have the travel ban.
You can read or listen to some stories at this links:
Fanpage.it ITA https://www.fanpage.it/attualita/travel-ban-e-coppie-divise-per-mesi-dalla-pandemia-non-lasciateci-soli-lamore-non-e-turismo/
Raffaella and Christian EN https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HTzxIzerBQ
Adina and Pierce EN https://www.romania-insider.com/romanian-american-couple-separated-covid-story-2020