EU to Open Borders for 15 Countries But not The US Nationals

The European Union is all set to open its borders, allowing international travelers to enter Europe from 15 countries from 1st July. But the people from Russia, Brazil, or the United States are not on this list, according to EU’s new border rules.

The safe countries list includes Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The European Union will allow China if it also allows tourists from European nations to travel there. The EU’s new border rules are based on a complex plan. They made the plan based on health criteria.

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However, the decision to not include the United States on the list was an indication that the President of United States Donald Trump has failed in the handling of coronavirus.

The EU will allow Tourists to travel to European countries based on their country of residence and not nationality. Although the policy is not legally binding, all the members of the European Union will be under pressure to comply.

Some members of the European Union wanted to allow more travelers to recover their tourism industries. These included the countries that see the majority of people from all over the world visit their famous beaches and cultural sites.

According to the council, the United Kingdom (UK) will be treated as a part of the European Union until the end of the year.

The European Union will review the list of acceptable countries every two weeks. They will review the list and add or remove countries based on their condition. This approach is the right one to steer the reopening of borders according to the experts.

The full list of the 15 countries whose visitors will be allowed to travel to European countries includes Australia, Georgia, Montenegro, New Zealand, Serbia, Thailand, Uruguay, Tunisia, South Korea, Rwanda, Morocco, Japan, Canada, Algeria, and China provide that China reciprocates. Four European microstates are including Monaco, the Vatican, Andorra, and San Marino.

The EU has made some exceptions for travelers from countries not included in the acceptable list. These include diplomats, transit passengers, students, health workers, humanitarian workers, asylum seekers, and employees whose employment in Europe is deemed necessary.

People may think that it’s a straightforward process to decide which Non-European countries are safe. However, it has been a complicated process, mixing economics, politics, and public health.

Germany and Spain pushed to have only those countries allowed which have good health service, reliable health data, and low infection rates. Portugal and Greece in an attempt to boost their economy pushed for the contrary. They wanted a long list of acceptable countries.

France had other ideas. They believed that the Non-Euro Countries who are blocking flights from European countries should also not appear on this list.

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Member states evaluating two non-identical lists last week. One list established that countries with less than 16 coronavirus cases per 100,000 shall be allowed. The other, however, insisted on allowing countries with 20 coronavirus cases per 100,000.

Although, the European Union is opening its borders but still the travelers have to be in isolation. This isolation may typically last 14 days after reaching these European countries.

The EU has made its list of safe countries after a lot of thinking. They may also add the United States later when the situation is better there regarding covid19.