The European Council has revised the list of 11 non-member states to safe travel countries after removing Algeria from the list, according to a European Council statement released on Thursday.
According to the statement, the European Union will gradually lift travel restrictions on the outer borders for residents of Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia and Uruguay.
The United States remains on the list of banned nations, and China is still pending approval on reciprocity grounds.
The statement said, “The criteria for determining third countries that include the current travel ban especially the epidemiological situation and prevention measures should include physical disturbances as well as economic and social considerations.” They are applied cumulatively, ”the statement said. “Reciprocity must also be taken into account on a regular and case-by-case basis.”
In order to be considered safe for travel, non-EU nations must have coronavirus case numbers per 100,000 inhabitants, which are close to or below the EU average in the last 14 days, the statement said. There is also a steady or decreasing trend. Matters of that period compared to the previous 14 days.
The European Union is also taking into account the “overall response to COVID-19” from other countries, including whether they have implemented reliable coronavirus testing, monitoring, contact tracing, control, treatment and reporting.
In countries where travel restrictions apply, there is an exemption for EU citizens, long-term EU residents, EU residents and citizens’ families and “a necessary function or requirement for travelers.”
The European Council stated that it would regularly review the list of safe-traveling countries, “that travel restrictions may be completely or partially removed or resumed for a specific third country that Already some of the conditions are listed by change, and as a result., In the assessment of epidemiological status. If the situation in an enlisted third country deteriorates quickly, rapid decision-making must be implemented. “
However, it remains for the member states of the European Union to decide how they implement any changes in border policy.
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