E.U. to Ban Most U.S. Travelers When Borders Reopen

NY Bar Exam COVID-19

The European Union will soon reopen its borders and allow outsiders to begin entering the bloc again on July 1. The United States and Russia, however, are now among the nations considered at risk because they did not control the coronavirus outbreak and will likely be banned from visiting Europe this summer.

Eiffel Tower, Paris, France

Europe US Travel Ban

BRUSSELS – On Friday, officials were debating who will be allowed to enter the EU on July 1 when the bloc’s international borders are scheduled to be opened – and who will be forbidden. There are two lists, one for those that will be accepted, and one for those who will not.

The list has already aroused controversy after sources revealed that the United States – the worst-affected country worldwide by COVID-19 with more than 2.4 million cases, is on the latter list and will not be allowed access to the European countries.

Which countries are set to be allowed to enter the EU’s territory?

Note: The UK is on neither list as its citizens are considered part of EU until Dec 31, 2020 Source: @Euronews

By contrast, travelers from more than a dozen countries that are not overwhelmed by the coronavirus are set to be welcomed when the bloc reopens after months of lockdown on July 1. The acceptable countries also include China — but only if China allows European Union travelers to visit as well, the officials said.

E.U. officials first disclosed on Tuesday that the United States, which has reported more coronavirus deaths and infections than any other country, was highly unlikely to make the final list.

The European Union is ready to reopen external borders on July 1, in efforts to revive tourism. However, Americans, Brazilians, and Russians remain banned from the EU. https://t.co/IZhdfe4SdK

The United States, Brazil, and Russia are the top 3 nations with COVID-19 cases.
— Border Advisor (@BorderAdvisor) June 25, 2020

The exclusion of the United States represents a stinging rebuke to the Trump administration’s management of the coronavirus scourge. Back in March the United States had banned most European Union travelers. Now the situation si reversed.

Quentin Alexandre, French Attorney in New York City

The New York Times reviewed the detailed guide of criteria shared among European diplomats and said that the list should include only countries with a “comparable or better epidemiological situation as the average in the E.U.+ area,” and that the data from those countries must be credible and demonstrate a robust system for containing the virus.