Europe Updates its Travel Restrictions, Still No U.S.

Europe has updated its Covid-19 travel restrictions. Rather than adding countries from which visitors would be welcomed, the European Union has gone the other direction. Two countries have been removed from its travel safe list, and their residents will no longer be allowed to visit the E.U. or the associated Schengen Area.

UPDATE 10/23/2020: Europe has removed Canada from its safe list. See our new post with “The Latest Global Travel Restrictions” for more.

Serbia, Montenegro Visitors Banned

In the face of rising Covid-19 infection rates, both Serbia and Montenegro have been removed from the E.U. safe list.

Serbia abruptly ended its coronavirus lockdowns in May. And while still just a fraction of what the United States is experiencing, Covid-19 cases in Serbia are once again rising.

Montenegro’s prime minister declared his country free of the novel coronavirus back in May. Fast forward to today, when cases are spiking. Health officials now say that Montenegro has the highest number of active cases per capita in the Balkans.

Most travelers from Serbia and Montenegro will no longer be permitted to visit the E.U. or Schengen Area for the foreseeable future. Long-term residents and citizens, as well as travelers with an essential function or need, are exempt from this restriction.

Meeting European Union Standards

Europe is setting the bar high for its travel safe list, and the latest update to its restrictions is further proof. The bloc considers the current epidemiological situation in each country, based on these factors:

• The number of per capita cases in the past two weeks is similar or lower than what the E.U. is experiencing
• Cases are stable or decreasing compared to the two weeks previous
• A country’s response to the virus

Serbia’s response to the virus has been a real head scratcher. It fully eliminated all Covid-19 restrictions for new arrivals to the country — no quarantine nor Covid-19 testing. For those inside the country, officials have mandated face coverings and limited gatherings to no more than 10 people.

Updated Travel Safe List

Europe’s travel restrictions were last updated on July 16th and will be reviewed every two weeks. As of July 16th, residents of these countries can visit most European Union and Schengen Area countries without restriction:

• Algeria (Removed 7/29)
• Andorra
• Australia
• Canada
• Georgia
• Japan
• Monaco
• Morocco
• New Zealand
• Rwanda
• San Marino
• South Korea
• Thailand
• Tunisia
• Uruguay
• Vatican City
• China — Not permitted until they reciprocally allow E.U. visitors

The United Kingdom is no longer part of the bloc, but considered E.U. members for travel purposes through the end of 2020. Thus, UK residents can also visit E.U. and Schengen Area countries.

There are Some Exceptions

The European Union’s safe list is not legally binding. It would be so much simpler if all bloc members would follow along, as the E.U. prefers. But that’s not what we’re seeing. Some European nations are making restrictions tougher than what the E.U. recommends, not easier.

Here are just a few examples. This listing is by no means comprehensive, and very little of it would apply to U.S. residents anyway. Americans can only visit the UK and Ireland, and only following a 14-day quarantine. They would not be admitted elsewhere in the bloc.

Ireland

Ireland is planning to adopt its own “green list” on July 20th (UPDATE: It’s now available). It’s expected to look a bit different from the E.U. safe list. Speaking on NewsTalk’s Pat Kenny Show, Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney says the green list will be short. Countries that make the list will “represent no higher risk than Ireland represents.” He said the United States would definitely not make the cut, and it’s “very likely” the United Kingdom would also be excluded.

Coveney indicated that Ireland will continue to allow visitors from countries not on its green list. Just like now, they would be required to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.

Coveney offered some hopeful news for travelers. He says the Government is looking at some new airport protocols, including Covid-19 testing on arrival. Could testing replace quarantine? I’ve previously written that testing is the better option, among imperfect choices. But at this time, it’s just talk. We’ll wait and see if anything comes from it.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom has its own “travel corridors” list. Like Ireland, the UK has not closed its borders. Visitors to the UK must quarantine for two weeks, unless they reside in a country on the list.

As we’ve noted, Britain is no longer an E.U. member. But they are considered an E.U. member for travel purposes and have thus been included here.

Denmark

Denmark is more restrictive than the rest of Europe. They exclude some visitors from within the E.U. and Schengen Area: Portugal, Luxembourg, and most of Sweden.

Denmark’s safe list of people who can visit from outside the EU/Schengen bloc is similar, but not quite the same as that published by the European Union. It excludes Algeria, Morocco, and Rwanda.

One other strange restriction. Upon arrival, visitors to Denmark must show proof that they have an advance accommodations booking for at least 6 nights.

Final Thoughts

Now that Europe has updated its travel restrictions, the number of visitors the bloc allows has only gotten smaller. The U.S. is still a long way from getting Covid-19 under control and will remain off the list for the foreseeable future.

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Photo: The Warehouse District, Hamburg, Germany (Shuttertock)