European Union travel restrictions

European Union Since the White House announced yesterday vaccinated travellers from the 26 Schengen Area countries, Ireland and the United Kingdom, would be permitted to enter the United States in early November, Europeans have been asking which vaccines would be accepted for entry into the country.

Clearly, the US will permit entry for those who have been vaccinated with one of the vaccines which have been vaccinated with the ones approved by the US federal agency Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which are Moderna, Pfizer, and Janssen.

The European Medicines Agency, on the other hand, has approved all three, as well as the AstraZeneca vaccine. That is why many travellers worry that the AstraZeneca vaccine, with which the majority of Brits and 70 million EU nationals have been vaccinated, may not be accepted for travel into the US when the travel ban is lifted.

In a press conference held today, Eric Mamer, a spokesperson for the EU Commission, said that it is expected that the US travel for people vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine even though the same has not been approved by the FDA yet.

“From our point of view, obviously it would make sense for people who have been vaccinated with AstraZeneca to be able to travel,” Mamer said, though he pointed out that there is no official information in this regard, reported Reuters.

Only today, the NDTV has quoted an unnamed top medical body of the country that a vaccinated person will be any person who has received has been fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved by the FDA or the World Health Organization (WHO).

Up to this point, the list of the vaccines approved by the WHO consists of the following:

• Pfizer/BioNTech
• AstraZeneca (including Covishield)
• Janssen
• Moderna
• Sinopharm
• Sinovac

European Union Travellers from Albania, Andorra, Faroe Islands, Israel, Monaco, Morocco and Panama can soon travel to EU countries under the same restrictions as EU nationals, as they have now joined the EU Digital COVID Certificate.

The EU Commission’s Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations has announced on Wednesday, September 15, that the Commission now recognises COVID-19 certificates issued by all these countries as equivalent to those issued by the EU Member States under the EU’s Vaccination Passport Scheme.

“As a result, the seven countries and territories will be connected to the EU’s system, and the COVID certificates they issue will be accepted in the EU under the same conditions as EU Digital COVID Certificates,” the Directorate-General notes in a press release announcing the decision.

The same also noted that EU travellers will be able to travel to these seven countries with their EU Digital Certificate, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.

Commenting on the decision, the EU Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, asserted that throughout summer 2021, EU citizens have been able to travel safely, thanks to the certificate, adding that the EU countries have issued more than 420 million certificates up until now.

“I, therefore, welcome that more and more countries outside the EU are joining our successful system. A total number of 42 countries – 27 EU Member States and 15 non-EU countries – are now taking part in the EU Digital COVID Certificate system, confirming the EU certificate as an international standard,” the Commissioner said.

The EU has created the COVID-19 travel certificate scheme in a bid to restore the freedom of travel between the Member States. Since the scheme was launched, travellers holding the certificate have been able to travel throughout the block without or at least with minimal restrictions.

The certificate is issued to those who are fully vaccinated, those who have recovered from the virus in the past 180 days, as well as to those who test negative for COVID-19.

European Union Travellers from Albania, Andorra, Faroe Islands, Israel, Monaco, Morocco and Panama can soon travel to EU countries under the same restrictions as EU nationals, as they have now joined the EU Digital COVID Certificate.

The EU Commission’s Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations has announced on Wednesday, September 15, that the Commission now recognises COVID-19 certificates issued by all these countries as equivalent to those issued by the EU Member States under the EU’s Vaccination Passport Scheme.

“As a result, the seven countries and territories will be connected to the EU’s system, and the COVID certificates they issue will be accepted in the EU under the same conditions as EU Digital COVID Certificates,” the Directorate-General notes in a press release announcing the decision.

The same also noted that EU travellers will be able to travel to these seven countries with their EU Digital Certificate, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.

Commenting on the decision, the EU Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, asserted that throughout summer 2021, EU citizens have been able to travel safely, thanks to the certificate, adding that the EU countries have issued more than 420 million certificates up until now.

“I, therefore, welcome that more and more countries outside the EU are joining our successful system. A total number of 42 countries – 27 EU Member States and 15 non-EU countries – are now taking part in the EU Digital COVID Certificate system, confirming the EU certificate as an international standard,” the Commissioner said.

The EU has created the COVID-19 travel certificate scheme in a bid to restore the freedom of travel between the Member States. Since the scheme was launched, travellers holding the certificate have been able to travel throughout the block without or at least with minimal restrictions.

The certificate is issued to those who are fully vaccinated, those who have recovered from the virus in the past 180 days, as well as to those who test negative for COVID-19.

European Union More European Union and Schengen Zone countries have started to reopen their visa application centres located abroad, accepting applications for several visa categories, after confirming that the COVID-19 situation permits such a step to be taken. Many of these visa centres are located in India.

Recently, authorities in Ireland have announced that the visa application centre in India has resumed its work and now accepts short-stay visa applications. In addition, visa centres for long-stay visas have also resumed their work in the following territories; Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Kochi, Hyderabad, Jalandhar, Kolkata, South Mumbai, Pune and New Delhi, as confirmed by the visa outsourcing and technology Services Company, VFS Global, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.

Besides Ireland, authorities in Germany also have announced that their visa centre in Ahmedabad, India, will continue its work, from September 20, after remaining temporarily closed due to the Coronavirus situation.

“The Germany Visa Application Centre in Ahmedabad will resume operations on September 20 2021, operating every Monday and Wednesday from 9 am to 3 pm,” the statement published by VFS Global reads.

Citizens from India can also head to the centre in Pune, India, in order to require visa service when interested in visiting Switzerland, as the latter reopened its visa application centre in Pune, India.

Belgium’s visa application centre in Ahmedabad, India, has resumed its work from September 1, accepting D category and Seaman visa applications.

“The Belgium Visa Application Centre in Ahmedabad will resume accepting D category, and Seaman Visa applications from September 1 2021, operating every Monday and Wednesday from 9 am to 2 pm,” the statement published by VFS Global reads.

Russian citizens wishing to travel to Estonia are now permitted to require visa services, as the latter has opened its centre in Ivangorod, Russia. According to the announcement of the VFS Global, the centre located in Ivangorod will offer its visa services from Monday to Wednesday, from 10 am to 2 pm.

Czech Republic’s visa application centre located in Tehran also resumed its operations from September 2 for all persons requiring visa services.

On September 1, Finland announced that it reopened its visa application centre located in Hong Kong. However, it started accepting limited category applications, while it keeps its doors open from Wednesday to Friday from 9 am to 12 pm.

The Hungarian visa application centre located in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates, resumed its services on September 5, according to the announcement of the VFS Global.

European Union EU Countries Accept Mixed COVID-19 Vaccine Doses

Denmark
On August 2, the Danish State Serum Institute revealed that people vaccinated with AstraZeneca and then with either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna are offered “good protection” from the combination.

Thus the country has not only vaccinated about 144,000 Danish residents with such mixed vaccines but also permits entry for those who are vaccinated with mixed jabs as long as both shots are of an EMA-approved vaccine.

Germany
The German health authorities have been practising cross vaccination for some time now, even having the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, vaccinated with the AstraZeneca and then a Moderna shot.

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The country not only recognises cross vaccination but also recommends it. According to the German Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO), people whose first shot of vaccine was Oxford-AstraZeneca should get vaccinated with an mRNA vaccine for the second shot, meaning it can either be a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine. STIKO said that this combination generates more superior protection against the virus.

Italy
Since mid-June, the Italian Medicines Agency (Aifa) has recognised mixed vaccines as full vaccination. The recognition followed the decision of Aifa to authorise the combination of COVID vaccines for people under 60 as the AstraZeneca jab was limited for use.

France
Since March, the country has recognised the mixed vaccines as full immunisation after complaints were being voiced over the AstraZeneca jab. However, travellers must be vaccinated with the EMA authorised vaccines combination in order to enter France.

Spain
Like Danish health authorities, a study carried out in Spain with more than 600 participants in May revealed that getting vaccinated with AstraZeneca and then Pfizer shot is more effective than being vaccinated with matching doses. In conclusion, the country recognises cross vaccination as valid proof of immunity for those wishing to enter its territory.

Norway
The country approved the combination of Pfizer and Moderna shot and even announced it is working with the British authorities to recognise the practice of cross vaccination.

Source: www.schengenvisainfo.com/news/travel-to-eu-which-eu-countries-accept-mixed-covid-19-vaccine-doses/

European Union The European Union Council is set to narrow down the list of epidemiologically safe third countries removing an additional six more countries from it.

Sources of Reuters within the EU have once again made known the list of countries that will most possibly be removed from the list on Wednesday when the EU Council meets to review the list. The following countries will be affected:

Albania
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Brunei Darussalam
Japan
Serbia
The removal from the list means that the Member States will be advised to reinstate entry restrictions on travellers from these countries, which travellers so far have been eligible to enter most EU and Schengen Area countries completely restriction-free.

The entry restrictions that may soon be imposed on these travellers include testing, double testing, quarantine, and even an entry ban on those unvaccinated.

While the EU’s decision is expected to be finalized by the end of the week, some EU and Schengen countries have already removed some or all of these countries from their “white lists”.

European Union The Council updated the list of countries, special administrative regions and other entities and territorial authorities for which travel restrictions should be lifted. In particular, Israel, Kosovo[1], Lebanon, Montenegro, the Republic of North Macedonia and the United States of America were removed from the list.

Non-essential travel to the EU from countries or entities not listed in Annex I is subject to temporary travel restriction. This is without prejudice to the possibility for member states to lift the temporary restriction on non-essential travel to the EU for fully vaccinated travellers.

Member states can choose not to apply this non-essential traveler ban for those inoculated with the EMA or WHO-approved Covid-19 vaccines.

Each European Union and Schengen country can decide whether to go with the outer border restrictions update recommended by the European Commission and whether they choose to apply them to all six countries. Usually, they do, and no government objected to the proposal put forward last Friday.

There could also be different entry requirements regarding vaccination (are vaccinated allowed or not) and tests depending on your entry country to EU/Schengen like there have been in place for the entire summer.

Countries removed from the safe list:
Israel
Kosovo[1]
Lebanon
Montenegro
Republic of North Macedonia
the United States of America
An updated list of safe countries:
Albania
Armenia
Australia
Azerbaijan
Bosnia and Hercegovina
Brunei Darussalam
Canada
Japan
Jordan
New Zealand
Qatar
Republic of Moldova
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Singapore
South Korea
Ukraine
China, subject to confirmation of reciprocity
Travel restrictions should also be gradually lifted for the special administrative regions of China Hong Kong and Macao.

European Union Reuters reported late Friday, citing EU’s diplomatic sources, that the bloc would announce on Monday the list of countries that EU/Schengen member states should apply travel restrictions from if there are no objections.

Note that these changes would primarily affect visitors that are not vaccinated using EMA (European Medicines Agency) approved vaccines that may be banned from entering the bloc altogether or need to quarantine with multiple tests.

It is up to each European Union and Schengen country to decide whether to go with the outer border restrictions and whether they choose to apply them to all six countries.

There could also be different entry requirements for vaccination and tests depending on your entry country to EU/Schengen like there have been in place for the entire summer.

The countries removed from the safe travel list:
United States
Israel
Lebanon
Kosovo
North Macedonia
Montenegro

European Union COVID-19 Vaccination Passport issued by North Macedonia, Turkey and Ukraine will be accepted for travel to the EU and Schengen Area countries starting from today, August 20, after the EU Commission adopted three equivalence decisions for these countries.

The decision was taken yesterday, on August 20, and means that the relevant authorities in these three countries will be connected to the EU’s system, and the COVID-19 certificates issued to their citizens will now be accepted in the EU, under the same conditions as the EU Digital COVID Certificate.

“At the same time, North Macedonia, Turkey and Ukraine have agreed to accept the EU Digital COVID Certificate for travel from the EU to their countries. Their participation in the EU’s Digital COVID Certificate will thus facilitate safe travel to and from the EU,” the EU Commission noted in a press release announcing the decision.

Commenting on the decision, the EU Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, showed his belief that the EU is setting standards internationally with the EU Digital COVID Certificate while also asserting that the agreement with North Macedonia, Turkey and Ukraine would help to facilitate safe travel, beyond the block.

The EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi, also appraised the agreements, noting that more countries in Europe would soon join the gateway.

“As we fight the pandemic together, our partners are also an integral part of opening up safely together. I welcome Ukraine, North Macedonia and Turkey in our Digital COVID Certificate system and look forward to more of our neighbours connecting soon,” Commissioner Várhelyi said.

The EU Digital COVID Certificate is a document established by the block in a bid to restore the freedom of travel throughout the member states for EU citizens by removing entry bans and other restrictions as quarantine and double testing for its holders.

European Union 15 countries in EU now recognise COVISHIELD for travellers.

The 15 countries that allegedly recognise the vaccine, 13 of which are EU members and the remaining two are Schengen area countries, are as follows:

Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Finland
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Latvia
the Netherlands
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland

European Union Today, the Presidents of the three EU institutions, the European Parliament, the Council of the EU and the European Commission attended the official signing ceremony for the Regulation on the EU Digital COVID Certificate, marking the end of the legislative process.

On this occasion Presidents David Sassoli and Ursula von der Leyen and Prime Minister António Costa said:

“The EU Digital COVID Certificate is a symbol of what Europe stands for. Of a Europe that does not falter when put to the test. A Europe that unites and grows when faced with challenges. Our Union showed again that we work best when we work together. The EU Digital COVID Certificate Regulation was agreed between our institutions in the record time of 62 days. While we worked through the legislative process, we also built the technical backbone of the system, the EU gateway, which is live since 1 June.

We can be proud of this great achievement. The Europe that we all know and that we all want back is a Europe without barriers. The EU Certificate will again enable citizens to enjoy this most tangible and cherished of EU rights – the right to free movement. Signed into law today, it will enable us to travel more safely this summer. Today we reaffirm together that an open Europe prevails.”

EU Digital COVID Certificate

The aim of the EU Digital COVID Certificate is to facilitate safe and free movement inside the EU during the COVID-19 pandemic. All Europeans have the right to free movement, also without the certificate, but the certificate will facilitate travel, exempting holders from restrictions like quarantine.

The EU Digital COVID Certificate will be accessible for everyone and it will:

cover COVID-19 vaccination, test and recovery;
be free of charge and available in all EU languages;
be available in a digital and paper-based format;
be secure and include a digitally signed QR code;
Member States shall refrain from imposing additional travel restrictions on the holders of an EU Digital COVID Certificate, unless they are necessary and proportionate to safeguard public health.

In addition, the Commission committed to mobilising €100 million under the Emergency Support Instrument to support Member States in providing affordable tests.

The Regulation will apply for 12 months as of 1 July 2021.

European Union EU completed today the legislative work on the EU digital COVID Certificate package to facilitate travel within the EU and contribute to the economic recovery.

Plenary passed the new EU digital COVID Certificate Regulations with 546 votes to 93 and 51 abstentions (EU citizens) and with 553 to 91 and 46 abstentions (third-country nationals).

Chair of the Civil Liberties Committee and rapporteur Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D, ES) said: “Today Parliament has set the pace to restore free movement and a fully functional Schengen while we continue to fight this pandemic. The EU Digital COVID Certificate will function from 1st July, and will ensure safe and coordinated travel this summer. EU states are encouraged to refrain from imposing further restrictions, unless strictly necessary and proportionate, and it is reassuring that some are already issuing the certificate.“

The certificate will be issued free of charge by national authorities and be available in either digital or paper format containing a QR code. The document will certify that a person has been vaccinated against COVID-19, has a recent negative test result or has recovered from the infection. In practice, these will be three distinct certificates. A common EU framework will make certificates interoperable and verifiable across the European Union, as well as prevent fraud and forgery.

The system will apply from 1 July 2021 and be in place for 12 months. The certificate will not be a precondition for free movement and will not be considered a travel document.

European Union The European Council has abolished an entry ban for non-essential purposes on the residents of Japan, advising the 27 Member States to permit restriction-free entry for the resident of this country.

The decision has been taken upon a review of the EU Council’s list of the epidemiologically safe third-countries, according to which the Member States should add Japan to the list of safe third countries and soon permit Japanese travellers to enter the Schengen Area and the EU countries for non-essential purposes without being subject to any restrictions as testing and quarantine, including for tourism.

“Following a review under the recommendation on the gradual lifting of the temporary restrictions on non-essential travel into the EU, the Council updated the list of countries for which travel restrictions should be lifted to add Japan,” reads a press release of the Council, announcing the decision.

Thus, starting from June 3, the EU’s list of epidemiologically safe third countries, arrivals from which should be permitted to enter the European Union countries and the four Schengen Area associated countries, consists of the following:

Australia
China (including Hong Kong and Macao) subject to confirmation of reciprocity
Israel
Japan
New Zealand
Rwanda
Singapore
South Korea
Thailand
The EU Council’s list of epidemiologically safe third countries consists of countries outside the EU and Schengen Area that have low rates of COVID-19 cases in their territory.

The list had first been published on June 30 and consisted of 15 third countries, among which was also listed Japan.

European Union The European Commission has announced that the EU Digital COVID-19 Passport may also be issued to non-European travellers, including those from the United States and the United Kingdom.

The non-EU countries will be subject to the acceptance of the individual Member States of the validity of the passport, including proof of vaccination, proof of a negative test result, or proof of recovery from the COVID-19, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.

“Right now, if you’re an American, not living in the EU, you could get the certificate if you ask the national authorities of a member state to give you that certificate based on some proof that you’ve been vaccinated or had a recent Covid test,” a spokesperson of the European Commission said.

Nonetheless, he emphasised that such a decision rests with each individual Member State.

It was also revealed that the EU Commission is in talks with the United States regarding a US COVID-19 Passport, which could be accepted as an equivalent document by the EU states.

European Union The European Commission is proposing to create a Digital Green Certificate to facilitate safe free movement inside the EU during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Digital Green Certificate will be a proof that a person has been vaccinated against COVID-19, received a negative test result or recovered from COVID-19. It will be available, free of charge, in digital or paper format. It will include a QR code to ensure security and authenticity of the certificate. The Commission will build a gateway to ensure all certificates can be verified across the EU, and support Member States in the technical implementation of certificates. Member States remain responsible to decide which public health restrictions can be waived for travellers but will have to apply such waivers in the same way to travellers holding a Digital Green Certificate.

Vice-President for Values and Transparency, Věra Jourová said: “The Digital Green Certificate offers an EU-wide solution to ensure that EU citizens benefit from a harmonised digital tool to support free movement in the EU. This is a good message in support of recovery. Our key objectives are to offer an easy to use, non-discriminatory and secure tool that fully respects data protection. And we continue working towards international convergence with other partners.”

Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, said: “With the Digital Green Certificate, we are taking a European approach to ensure EU citizens and their family members can travel safely and with minimum restrictions this summer. The Digital Green Certificate will not be a pre-condition to free movement and it will not discriminate in any way. A common EU-approach will not only help us to gradually restore free movement within the EU and avoid fragmentation. It is also a chance to influence global standards and lead by example based on our European values like data protection.”

Key elements of the regulation proposed by the Commission today:

Accessible and secure certificates for all EU citizens:
The Digital Green Certificate will cover three types of certificates –vaccination certificates, test certificates (NAAT/RT-PCR test or a rapid antigen test), and certificates for persons who have recovered from COVID-19.
The certificates will be issued in a digital form or on paper. Both will have a QR code that contains necessary key information as well as a digital signature to make sure the certificate is authentic.
The Commission will build a gateway and support Member States to develop software that authorities can use to verify all certificate signatures across the EU. No personal data of the certificate holders passes through the gateway, or is retained by the verifying Member State.
The certificates will be available free of charge and in the official language or languages of the issuing Member State and English.
Non-discrimination:
All people – vaccinated and non-vaccinated – should benefit from a Digital Green Certificate when travelling in the EU. To prevent discrimination against individuals who are not vaccinated, the Commission proposes to create not only an interoperable vaccination certificate, but also COVID-19 test certificates and certificates for persons who have recovered from COVID-19.
Same right for travellers with the Digital Green Certificate –where Member States accept proof of vaccination to waive certain public health restrictions such as testing or quarantine, they would be required to accept, under the same conditions, vaccination certificates issued under the Digital Green Certificate system. This obligation would be limited to vaccines that have received EU-wide marketing authorisation, but Member States can decide to accept other vaccines in addition.
Notification of other measures – if a Member State continues to require holders of a Digital Green Certificate to quarantine or test, it must notify the Commission and all other Member States and explain the reasons for such measures.
Only essential information and secure personal data:
The certificates will include a limited set of information such as name, date of birth, date of issuance, relevant information about vaccine/test/recovery and a unique identifier of the certificate. This data can be checked only to confirm and verify the authenticity and validity of certificates.
The Digital Green Certificate will be valid in all EU Member States and open for Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway as well as Switzerland. The Digital Green Certificate should be issued to EU citizens and their family members, regardless of their nationality. It should also be issued to non-EU nationals who reside in the EU and to visitors who have the right to travel to other Member States.

The Digital Green Certificate system is a temporary measure. It will be suspended once the World Health Organization (WHO) declares the end of the COVID-19 international health emergency.

Next Steps

To be ready before the summer, this proposal needs a swift adoption by the European Parliament and the Council.

In parallel, Member States must implement the trust framework and technical standards, agreed in the eHealth network, to ensure timely implementation of the Digital Green Certificate, their interoperability and full compliance with personal data protection. The aim is to have the technical work and the proposal completed in the coming months.

Background

To comply with the measures to limit the spread of the coronavirus, travellers in the EU have been asked to provide various documents, such as medical certificates, test results, or declarations. The absence of standardised formats has resulted in travellers experiencing problems when moving within the EU. There have also been reports of fraudulent or forged documents.

In their statement adopted following the informal video conferences on 25 and 26 February 2021, the members of the European Council called for work to continue on a common approach to vaccination certificates. The Commission has been working with the Member States in the eHealth Network, a voluntary network connecting national authorities responsible for eHealth, on preparing the interoperability of vaccination certificates. Guidelines were adopted on 27 January and updated on 12 March, and the trust framework outline was agreed on 12 March 2021.

Today the Commission adopted a legislative proposal establishing a common framework for a Digital Green Certificate. The Commission also adopted a complementary proposal to ensure that the Digital Green Certificate is also issued to non-EU nationals who reside in Member States or Schengen Associated States and to visitors who have the right to travel to other Member States. Separate proposals to cover citizens and non-EU citizens are necessary for legal reasons; there is no difference in treatment of citizens and eligible non-EU citizens for the purpose of the certificates.

European Union The European Union said Thursday it has decided to reinstate a travel ban from Japan as the country struggles to cope with a surge of novel coronavirus cases, having declared a state of emergency in Tokyo and other areas.

The EU maintains a list of countries that are exempted from its ban on nonessential travel to the economic bloc. In light of the latest developments, it has removed Japan from the list.

The latest EU decision is likely to prompt airline companies operating Europe-bound routes from Japan to review their flight plans, although it will remain up to each member country in the EU to decide whether to implement the ban and how to handle enforcement.

While the pandemic situation in Japan is less severe than in some hard-hit countries such as the United States and several nations in Western Europe, it is one of the most affected countries in East and Southeast Asia, with over 380,000 infection cases and 5,500 deaths, according to the latest data from Johns Hopkins University.

European Union Based on the criteria and conditions set out in the recommendation, as from 16 December member states should gradually lift the travel restrictions at the external borders for residents of the following third countries:

Australia
Japan
New Zealand
Rwanda
Singapore
South Korea
Thailand
China, subject to confirmation of reciprocity
Travel restrictions should also be gradually lifted for the special administrative regions of China Hong Kong and Macao, subject to confirmation of reciprocity.

Residents of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican should be considered as EU residents for the purpose of this recommendation.

European Union Latest News: High-speed train operator Thalys cancels 70 percent of trains from 2 November because of COVID-19 (Brussels Times, 27.10.2020). All flights between countries belonging to Schengen Zone will resume from 30 September (TFN, 28.09.2020). Thalys high-speed train operator cuts several services amid COVID-19 pandemic (Brussels Times, 22.09.2020).

International Restrictions:

European Union reopened borders to citizens of 14 countries since July 1. The list includes The safe countries deemed to have the coronavirus pandemic largely under control are Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, and Uruguay. Travelers from China would be approved to enter, but under the condition that Beijing would do the same for Europeans. Some EU countries have requested a delay in the decision for further examination, meaning the decision may be revised. The list is not entirely binding, border management remains a matter of national decision. (Prague Morning, 29.06.2020)

European Union Travel restrictions: Council reviews the list of third countries for which restrictions should be lifted
Following a review under the recommendation on the gradual lifting of the temporary restrictions on non-essential travel into the EU, the Council updated the list of countries for which travel restrictions should be lifted. As stipulated in the Council recommendation, this list will continue to be reviewed regularly and, as the case may be, updated.

Based on the criteria and conditions set out in the recommendation, as from 22 October member states should gradually lift the travel restrictions at the external borders for residents of the following third countries:

Australia
Japan
New Zealand
Rwanda
Singapore
South Korea
Thailand
Uruguay
China, subject to confirmation of reciprocity
Travel restrictions should also be gradually lifted for the special administrative regions of China Hong Kong and Macao, subject to confirmation of reciprocity.

Residents of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican should be considered as EU residents for the purpose of this recommendation.

The criteria to determine the third countries for which the current travel restriction should be lifted cover in particular the epidemiological situation and containment measures, including physical distancing, as well as economic and social considerations. They are applied cumulatively. Reciprocity should also be taken into account regularly and on a case-by-case basis.

Schengen associated countries (Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, Switzerland) also take part in this recommendation.

European Union Latest News: Thalys high-speed train operator cuts several services amid COVID-19 pandemic (Brussels Times, 22.09.2020).

International Restrictions:
European Union will continue to ban travelers from Brazil, Russia, U.S because of COVID-19 threat (Al Jazeera, 26.06.2020)

European Union reopened borders to citizens of 14 countries since July 1. The list includes The safe countries deemed to have the coronavirus pandemic largely under control are Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, and Uruguay. Travelers from China would be approved to enter, but under the condition that Beijing would do the same for Europeans. Some EU countries have requested a delay in the decision for further examination, meaning the decision may be revised. The list is not entirely binding, border management remains a matter of national decision. (Prague Morning, 29.06.2020)

European Union Following a review under the recommendation on the gradual lifting of the temporary restrictions on non-essential travel into the EU, the Council updated the list of countries for which travel restrictions should be lifted. As stipulated in the Council recommendation, this list will continue to be reviewed regularly and, as the case may be, updated.

Based on the criteria and conditions set out in the recommendation, as from 8 August member states should gradually lift the travel restrictions at the external borders for residents of the following third countries:

Australia
Canada
Georgia
Japan
New Zealand
Rwanda
South Korea
Thailand
Tunisia
Uruguay
China, subject to confirmation of reciprocity
Residents of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican should be considered as EU residents for the purpose of this recommendation.

The criteria to determine the third countries for which the current travel restriction should be lifted cover in particular the epidemiological situation and containment measures, including physical distancing, as well as economic and social considerations. They are applied cumulatively.

Regarding the epidemiological situation, third countries listed should meet the following criteria, in particular:

number of new COVID-19 cases over the last 14 days and per 100 000 inhabitants close to or below the EU average (as it stood on 15 June 2020)
stable or decreasing trend of new cases over this period in comparison to the previous 14 days
overall response to COVID-19 taking into account available information, including on aspects such as testing, surveillance, contact tracing, containment, treatment and reporting, as well as the reliability of the information and, if needed, the total average score for International Health Regulations (IHR). Information provided by EU delegations on these aspects should also be taken into account.
Reciprocity should also be taken into account regularly and on a case-by-case basis.

For countries where travel restrictions continue to apply, the following categories of people should be exempted from the restrictions:

EU citizens and their family members
long-term EU residents and their family members
travellers with an essential function or need, as listed in the Recommendation.
Schengen associated countries (Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, Switzerland) also take part in this recommendation.

European Union *****

International restrictions:

European Union will continue to ban travelers from Brazil, Russia, U.S because of COVID-19 threat (Al Jazeera, 26.06.2020)

European Union reopened borders to citizens of 14 countries since July 1. The list includes The safe countries deemed to have the coronavirus pandemic largely under control are Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, and Uruguay. Travelers from China would be approved to enter, but under the condition that Beijing would do the same for Europeans. Some EU countries have requested a delay in the decision for further examination, meaning the decision may be revised. The list is not entirely binding, border management remains a matter of national decision. (Prague Morning, 29.06.2020)

European Union Travel restrictions: Council reviews the list of countries for which member states should gradually lift travel restrictions at the external border

Following a review under the recommendation on the gradual lifting of the temporary restrictions on non-essential travel into the EU, the Council updated the list of countries for which travel restrictions should be lifted. As stipulated in the Council recommendation, this list will continue to be reviewed regularly and, as the case may be, updated.

Based on the criteria and conditions set out in the recommendation, as from 31 July member states should gradually lift the travel restrictions at the external borders for residents of the following third countries:

AustraliaCanadaGeorgiaJapanMoroccoNew ZealandRwandaSouth KoreaThailandTunisiaUruguayChina, subject to confirmation of reciprocity

Residents of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican should be considered as EU residents for the purpose of this recommendation.

The criteria to determine the third countries for which the current travel restriction should be lifted cover in particular the epidemiological situation and containment measures, including physical distancing, as well as economic and social considerations. They are applied cumulatively.

Regarding the epidemiological situation, third countries listed should meet the following criteria, in particular:

number of new COVID-19 cases over the last 14 days and per 100 000 inhabitants close to or below the EU average (as it stood on 15 June 2020)stable or decreasing trend of new cases over this period in comparison to the previous 14 daysoverall response to COVID-19 taking into account available information, including on aspects such as testing, surveillance, contact tracing, containment, treatment and reporting, as well as the reliability of the information and, if needed, the total average score for International Health Regulations (IHR). Information provided by EU delegations on these aspects should also be taken into account.

Reciprocity should also be taken into account regularly and on a case-by-case basis.

For countries where travel restrictions continue to apply, the following categories of people should be exempted from the restrictions:

EU citizens and their family memberslong-term EU residents and their family memberstravellers with an essential function or need, as listed in the Recommendation.

Schengen associated countries (Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, Switzerland) also take part in this recommendation.

European Union Council updates the list of countries for which member states should gradually lift travel restrictions at the external borders

Following the first review under the recommendation on the gradual lifting of the temporary restrictions on non-essential travel into the EU, the Council updated the list of countries for which travel restrictions should be lifted. This list will continue to be reviewed and, as the case may be, updated every two weeks.

Based on the criteria and conditions set out in the recommendation, as from 16 July member states should gradually lift the travel restrictions at the external borders for residents of the following third countries:

Algeria
Australia
Canada
Georgia
Japan
Morocco
New Zealand
Rwanda
South Korea
Thailand
Tunisia
Uruguay
China, subject to confirmation of reciprocity

Residents of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican should be considered as EU residents for the purpose of this recommendation.

The criteria to determine the third countries for which the current travel restriction should be lifted cover in particular the epidemiological situation and containment measures, including physical distancing, as well as economic and social considerations. They are applied cumulatively.

Regarding the epidemiological situation, third countries listed should meet the following criteria, in particular:

number of new COVID-19 cases over the last 14 days and per 100 000 inhabitants close to or below the EU average (as it stood on 15 June 2020)stable or decreasing trend of new cases over this period in comparison to the previous 14 daysoverall response to COVID-19 taking into account available information, including on aspects such as testing, surveillance, contact tracing, containment, treatment and reporting, as well as the reliability of the information and, if needed, the total average score for International Health Regulations (IHR). Information provided by EU delegations on these aspects should also be taken into account.

Reciprocity should also be taken into account regularly and on a case-by-case basis.

For countries where travel restrictions continue to apply, the following categories of people should be exempted from the restrictions:

EU citizens and their family memberslong-term EU residents and their family memberstravellers with an essential function or need, as listed in the recommendation.

Schengen associated countries (Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, Switzerland) also take part in this recommendation.

https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2020/07/16/council-updates-the-list-of-countries-for-which-member-states-should-gradually-lift-travel-restrictions-at-the-external-borders/

European Union The European Union Council will update its list of epidemiologically safe third-countries, by removing Serbia and Montenegro from it, due to an increase in COVID-19 cases in both Western Balkan countries.

EU diplomats told RFE/RL (which were not named by the medium) that the Council has decided not to add any new countries to the list, considering the epidemiological situation in these countries is not safe, instead only removing Serbia and Montenegro from the list.

The same sources confirmed that travel from the United States was not even part of the discussions, mainly due to the sharply increasing number of Coronavirus cases all across the US.

The European Union has decided to drop Serbia and Montenegro from its safe list of countries from which non-essential travel is allowed, and did not even discuss including the United States given its sharp rise in coronavirus cases, EU officials said.

While there was a possibility of removing Algeria and Morocco from the list as well, as proposed by some EU countries, the majority were against, pointing out the number of infections in these countries remains low.

An updated list of the remaining 13 countries will be announced in the following days. The list remains a recommendation, and it depends on the EU and the Schengen Member States, to fully or partially apply it, or to reject implementing it as some countries as Hungary have done so far.

The 13 countries that remain on the EU list are as follows: Algeria, Australia, Canada, China, Georgia, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia and Uruguay.

European Union Council agrees to start lifting travel restrictions for residents of some third countries.

The Council today adopted a recommendation on the gradual lifting of the temporary restrictions on non-essential travel into the EU. Travel restrictions should be lifted for countries listed in the recommendation, with this list being reviewed and, as the case may be, updated every two weeks.

Based on the criteria and conditions set out in the recommendation, as from 1 July member states should start lifting the travel restrictions at the external borders for residents of the following third countries:

Algeria
Australia
Canada
Georgia
Japan
Montenegro
Morocco
New Zealand
Rwanda
Serbia
South Korea
Thailand
Tunisia
Uruguay
China, subject to confirmation of reciprocity

Residents of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican should be considered as EU residents for the purpose of this recommendation.

The criteria to determine the third countries for which the current travel restriction should be lifted cover in particular the epidemiological situation and containment measures, including physical distancing, as well as economic and social considerations. They are applied cumulatively.

Regarding the epidemiological situation, third countries listed should meet the following criteria, in particular:

number of new COVID-19 cases over the last 14 days and per 100 000 inhabitants close to or below the EU average (as it stood on 15 June 2020)stable or decreasing trend of new cases over this period in comparison to the previous 14 daysoverall response to COVID-19 taking into account available information, including on aspects such as testing, surveillance, contact tracing, containment, treatment and reporting, as well as the reliability of the information and, if needed, the total average score for International Health Regulations (IHR). Information provided by EU delegations on these aspects should also be taken into account.

Reciprocity should also be taken into account regularly and on a case-by-case basis.

https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2020/06/30/council-agrees-to-start-lifting-travel-restrictions-for-residents-of-some-third-countries/

European Union *****

International restrictions:

European Union will continue to ban travelers from Brazil, Russia, U.S when borders reopen on 1 July because of COVID-19 threat (Al Jazeera, 26.06.2020)

European Union will reopen the borders to citizens of 14 countries starting from July 1. The list includes Australia, Canada, South Korea, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, Thailand, Uruguay, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Georgia, Montenegro and Serbia. Travelers from China would be approved to enter, but under the condition that Beijing would do the same for Europeans.
Some EU countries have requested a delay in the decision for further examination, meaning the decision may be revised. The list is not entirely binding, border management remains a matter of national decision. (Prague Morning, 29.06.2020)

European Union From mid-June passengers can travel by train from Prague to Berlin, Vienna, Bratislava and Warsaw.(Radio.cz, 25.06.2020)

Six airlines will be offering direct connections to 17 airports in nine countries and regions, including Sicily, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg, between July and October. The destinations and schedules include seven airports in Germany, and two each in Ireland and Switzerland. The airlines are Air Malta, Ryanair, Wizz Air, Lufthansa, Swiss and Luxair. (Times Malta, 11.06.2020)

*****

International restrictions:

EU External Borders to Remain Closed at Least Until the end of June: Third-country nationals will be unable to travel to the Schengen Area for nonessential purposes, at least until the end of June, the European Interior Ministers have agreed. European Union countries may bar U.S. travelers because of COVID-19 outbreak. (Reuters, 23.06.2020)

While the European Commission (EC) recommends that member states close their external borders to all non-EU citizens until 15 June. The ban will affect all non-EU nationals except long-term residents, family members of EU nationals and diplomats, cross-border and healthcare workers, and people transporting goods. Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland UK citizens will be unaffected. The Ireland/Northern Ireland border is not affected. Internal travel within the EU remains based upon each countries’ respective restrictions.

The European Union has imposed travel bans on a number of worldwide airlines, citing the failure to meet safety requirements amid the raging coronavirus pandemic.
The restrictions, outlined in a lately released report, apply additionally to Armenian air carriers, together with Armenia, Armenian Airways, Armenian Helicopters, Atlantis America Airways, Atlantis European Airways, Mars Avia and Sky Ball. (Reporter.am, 02.06.2020)

European Union
Six airlines will be offering direct connections to 17 airports in nine countries and regions, including Sicily, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg, between July and October. The destinations and schedules include seven airports in Germany, and two each in Ireland and Switzerland. The airlines are Air Malta, Ryanair, Wizz Air, Lufthansa, Swiss and Luxair. (Times Malta, 11.06.2020)

*****

International restrictions:

EU External Borders to Remain Closed at Least Until the end of June: Third-country nationals will be unable to travel to the Schengen Area for nonessential purposes, at least until the end of June, the European Interior Ministers have agreed. European Union countries may bar U.S. travelers because of COVID-19 outbreak. (Reuters, 23.06.2020)

While the European Commission (EC) recommends that member states close their external borders to all non-EU citizens until 15 June. The ban will affect all non-EU nationals except long-term residents, family members of EU nationals and diplomats, cross-border and healthcare workers, and people transporting goods. Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland UK citizens will be unaffected. The Ireland/Northern Ireland border is not affected. Internal travel within the EU remains based upon each countries’ respective restrictions.

The European Union has imposed travel bans on a number of worldwide airlines, citing the failure to meet safety requirements amid the raging coronavirus pandemic.
The restrictions, outlined in a lately released report, apply additionally to Armenian air carriers, together with Armenia, Armenian Airways, Armenian Helicopters, Atlantis America Airways, Atlantis European Airways, Mars Avia and Sky Ball. (Reporter.am, 02.06.2020)

European Union The EU Commission recommends:
 to prolong the application of the current travel restriction on non-essential travel
to the EU until 30 June 2020. Applying the coordination mechanism set out under
Chapter V, the intervening period should be used by the Commission and the Member
States to prepare a list of those third countries for which travel restrictions can be
lifted as from 1 July 2020. That list should be regularly updated in line with the
criteria set out in this Communication. For all third countries that are not on that list
by 30 June, the Commission recommends that Member States prolong the travel
restriction on non-essential travel until they are put on the list of countries where
travel restrictions could be lifted.

 to lift the application of the travel restriction on non-essential travel from the following countries/partners as of 1 July 2020:
o Albania;
o Bosnia and Herzegovina;
o Kosovo;
o Montenegro;
o North Macedonia;
o Serbia.

For those countries where no decision has been taken to end the temporary travel restriction for non-essential travel into the EU, the exemptions18 should be amended as follows:
a) EU citizens and citizens of Schengen Associated States and third country nationals
legally residing in the European Union, as well as their family members, should be
exempted from the travel restriction, regardless whether or not they are
returning home. Member States can, however, take appropriate measures such as
requiring such persons to undergo self-isolation or similar measures upon return from
a third country for which the temporary restriction on non-essential travel is
maintained, provided they impose the same requirements on their own nationals;
b) The specific categories of travellers with an essential function or need 19 should be
extended to include also:

 third-country nationals travelling for the purpose of study;
 highly qualified third-country workers if their employment is necessary from an
economic perspective and the work cannot be postponed or performed abroad.

European Union

International restrictions:

EU External Borders to Remain Closed at Least Until the End of June: Third-country nationals will be unable to travel to the Schengen Area for nonessential purposes, at least until the end of June, the European Interior Ministers have agreed. While the European Commission (EC) recommends that member states close their external borders to all non-EU citizens until 15 June. The ban will affect all non-EU nationals except long-term residents, family members of EU nationals and diplomats, cross-border and healthcare workers, and people transporting goods. Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland UK citizens will be unaffected. The Ireland/Northern Ireland border is not affected. Internal travel within the EU remains based upon each countries’ respective restrictions.

The European Union has imposed travel bans on a number of worldwide airlines, citing the failure to meet safety requirements amid the raging coronavirus pandemic. The restrictions, outlined in a lately released report, apply additionally to Armenian air carriers, together with Armenia, Armenian Airways, Armenian Helicopters, Atlantis America Airways, Atlantis European Airways, Mars Avia and Sky Ball. (Reporter.am, 02.06.2020)