European Travel to Reopen, Americans Likely Excluded
The European Union is eager to reopen its borders to foreign travel starting July 1st, but Americans will likely be excluded from visiting.
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UPDATE (6/26/2020): It’s official. The New York Times reports American travelers will be excluded from visiting Europe when travel to the continent reopens on July 1st. Canada, New Zealand and Australia are all included on the safe list. The United States and Russia are not. The original post is below, and the full list as it stands now is HERE.
Summer is normally the peak season to travel in Europe. The high demand makes for higher prices, and I often prefer to go during shoulder seasons in spring and fall. But this year promises to be different. Covid-19 has upended travel everywhere. Borders across the globe have closed, and the travel industry is cutting prices to attract what visitors they can. It would be a great time to visit — except that Americans can’t. Even if Americans could visit, getting a passport is its own challenge.
But as Europe prepares to open its external borders to foreign tourists on July 1st, it seems increasingly likely that nothing will change for Americans.
Europe Is Going By The Numbers
This news shouldn’t surprise anyone. The United States has the highest number of Covid-19 cases and deaths in the world. And in many states, those numbers are spiking. The country just set a new single-day high for new cases, with more than 36,000.
Make no mistake, the European Union will look at each country’s “epidemiological situation and the response to COVID-19,” In both these areas, the U.S. is woefully behind the eight ball.
European officials are looking at two lists of countries from which to allow tourists. according to The New York Times. Both lists include countries with a relatively low incidence of new coronavirus cases over a rolling two-week average. One list includes 47 countries from which travel would be allowed; the other, 54 countries. Both lists include countries with infection rates that are lower than or similar to the incidence of new infections in the E.U. itself — currently about 16 cases per 100,000 people. While we don’t know for certain, Canada likely makes the list, thanks to its low infection rate. The United States has 107 cases per 100,000 people, far higher than what Europe is currently experiencing.
The rules haven’t been finalized and remain the subject of fierce debate within the European Union. There are millions of dollars at stake, and the loss of American tourism will sting (just ask Cuba). But the economic impact of these measures is unlikely to save your European vacation.
Some European Travel Is Possible
It’s still possible for Americans to visit Europe, but only with significant restrictions.
Iceland is currently the easiest E.U. member country to visit. Upon entry, travelers must test for the novel coronavirus. The test is free through the end of June, but will cost $114 starting July 1st. The alternative to testing is to quarantine for two weeks.
Greece does not currently allow incoming flights from high-risk countries, such as the United States. However, the country does allow U.S tourists. All tourists from high-risk countries must test for Covid-19 AND quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.
Ireland expects inbound travelers to self-quarantine for two weeks. Arriving passengers must fill out a Passenger Locator Form, which includes an address and contact information while in Ireland.
The United Kingdom only recently implemented restrictions on incoming arrivals. But now, the country requires its international visitors (except those from Ireland) to self-quarantine for two weeks.
Starting July 1st, most (but not all) countries in the Schengen area have indicated they will follow the coming new guidelines.
Final Thoughts
We still don’t know what will happen on July 1st. Perhaps the E.U. will follow Iceland’s lead and allow tourists to test for coronavirus upon arrival. Just don’t count on it. More likely, countries in the Schengen area will go along with the E.U. recommendations; Ireland and Iceland will continue with their current plans, as would (non-E.U.) Great Britain. Once the E.U. implements its plan, it will review and revise every couple of weeks.
But it’s clear where this is heading. Americans are likely to remain excluded from European travel. If the United States is unable to substantially reduce its new cases of COVID-19, most European travel will be off the table for some time.
