EU Considering New Restrictions On U.S Tourists

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Weeks after the EU and the United Kingdom opened to U.S based travelers, Bloomberg reports that the EU is considering reimposing restrictions on US travelers in a move that will anger the travel industry. 

One of the main criteria for being on the safe list is a nation having fewer than 75 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people. However, the United States is currently just under 270 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people. Obviously, that puts it way above the threshold. 

The E.U has put various nations onto its green list, and these nations include Albania, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, Montenegro, New Zealand, Qatar, Republic of Moldova, Republic of North Macedonia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Ukraine, and the U.S.

The EU has asked the United States to allow travel from Europe, but nothing has happened. A spokesman for the Slovenian Presidency stated, “Many representatives of the EU member states and of the EU have spoken to our U.S. counterparts about the plans to reopen the country for visitors from the EU countries, in particular after Europe's step to allow the U.S. citizens to travel.”

The EU President Ursula von der Leyen has reportedly demanded that the U.S put an end to the ban. She has claimed that the EU and the US have the same conditions in terms of COVID-19, and it doesn’t make any sense to continue the ban. 

Nonetheless, the United States is apparently devising a plan whereby international travelers can enter the country if they’re fully vaccinated. That comes after almost 18 months of banning all non-essential international travel into the country. 

The Restrictions 

Bloomberg reports that the restrictions would mean only fully vaccinated travelers can enter the EU. The restrictions would only affect non-essential travel, and wouldn’t stop vaccinated U.S travelers from entering Europe. 

It’s important to state that the United Kingdom is no longer a member of the EU, and therefore these restrictions wouldn’t apply to U.S travelers entering the U.K. 

The Current Restrictions On U.S Travelers

Although the travel industry expects these restrictions will only apply to non-vaccinated U.S travelers, here are some of the current restrictions on U.S travelers in Europe 

• Spain – U.S travelers can visit Spain from June the 24th regardless of their vaccination status. Travelers would need to bring a pre-arrival form with a QR code. There are COVID-19 restrictions in some parts of the country, but restaurants, bars, and most attractions remain open. 
• Germany – U.S travelers can enter Germany if they have one of the following: proof of vaccination, proof of recovery from COVID-19, and a negative COVID-19 test. The test must be a PCR test and taken within 72 hours before landing in Germany.  

• Greece – Greece is open to U.S tourists, but tourists must provide evidence of full vaccination or a negative PCR test. There are curfews in place between 1.30 am and 5 am, but most attractions and restaurants are open. 
• Ireland – Ireland opened to U.S travelers on July 19th regardless of their vaccination status. However, those with proof of full vaccination can skip testing requirements and quarantine. Unvaccinated travelers will have to provide evidence of a negative PCR test and quarantine for 14 days after arrival. 
• France – France is open to vaccinated and unvaccinated U.S travelers. However, unvaccinated travelers will need to bring evidence of a negative COVID-19 test before arrival. 

If the EU does repose mandatory vaccination on U.S travelers, it shouldn’t change too much. Many countries require proof of vaccination anyway. Plus, some nations continue to introduce vaccine passports inside the country.

Read More:

Countries making exceptions for vaccinated travelers

List of countries A-Z open for American travelers

Carnival Cruise Line Adopts New Mask Policies

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