EU boss gives hope for millions of Brits that they COULD still enjoy a late summer holiday

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The Commission chief said she was “optimistic” Europeans would be able to go on a holiday – even if it’s only at home rather than abroad.

Brits were told last week not to book a holiday abroad just yet

She said: “I think we are going to find smart solutions to have a summer vacation.

“Maybe a little different, with other hygiene measures, with a little more social distance, but it is impressive to see that we have found solutions.”

Her remarks came as ministers in Greece and Austria began hatching plans for how to get international tourism up and running again.

And restrictions were lifted in some places in Spain and Germany today.

Some European countries have announced plans to ease restrictions on social life, transport and cross-border travel put in place since mid-March.

Most planes are currently grounded and many countries have put wide-ranging travel restrictions and warnings in place.

Just last week the EU chief warned that no one should be booking a getaway at the moment – as no one as any idea how long lockdown restrictions will last.

She had said:

“I’d advise everyone to wait before making holiday plans.

“At the moment, no one can make reliable forecasts for July and August.

“We will need to learn to live with this virus for many months, probably until next year.”

Von Der Leyen appeared to backtrack on her comments about summer holidays – saying there will need to be ‘smart solutions’

And UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the same last week.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Mr Shapps said “clearly people will want to see what the trajectory of this disease is in the next few weeks”.

He added: “I won’t be booking a summer holiday at this point, let’s put it that way.”

A spokesperson for No10 said at the time there was no certainty on when people would be able to start booking holidays.

They said: “I would say two things on that, one is that while we are making progress in our fight against coronavirus, we are not able to say with certainty at the point in which the social distancing measures can be relaxed.

“In terms of travelling in the UK for holidays, that is not something which the current social distancing guidelines allow for.

“In terms of travel abroad the advice of the (Foreign Office) continues to be that you should only go abroad for essential travel only.

“As of today it’s a fact the guidelines and the official (Foreign Office) advice does not allow for people going on holidays.”

The Foreign Office has advised that all Brits should avoid non-essential travel “indefinitely”.