The Council of the European Union revised the list of countries considered epidemiologically safe to lift travel restrictions on the global situation of the coronavirus pandemic and remove Singapore and Ukraine from the list on Tuesday.
The European Union first published a list of fourteen countries at the end of June 2020, which currently includes Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Chile, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, Qatar, Colombia, Kuwait, Jordan, Namibia, Uruguay, New Zealand, Peru, Rwanda and Saudi Arabia.
According to the recommendation, EU member states should gradually lift their restrictions on non-essential entry for nationals of countries on the list.
Non-essential travel to the EU from countries not on the list is subject to temporary travel restrictions. However, member states have the possibility to lift these temporary restrictions on travelers who have received a full dose of the vaccine.
The EU will lift restrictions on China if it happens on the other side. Subject to confirmation of reciprocity, travel restrictions should also be phased out for the special administrative regions of China, Hong Kong and Macao.
Citizens of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland can also enter the Union without restrictions.
A country with an increase in the number of novel coronavirus infections close to or below the EU average is considered safe.
The EU Council recommendation is not legally binding. The authorities of Member States remain responsible for implementing the recommendation. Member states can only gradually lift travel restrictions for the countries listed, while ensuring complete transparency.
(MTI)
