Several member countries of the European Union have modified their rules on allowing American visitors to visit after the United States was removed from the EU’s “safe” list of countries earlier this week.
After extensive COVID-19 vaccines reduced case rates across the country in June, and before the Delta variant began to dramatically alter the epidemiological landscape in the United States, the European Union’s governing body designated the United States as a safe travel market.
Even though the European Commission’s list reflects the preferred attitude for the whole bloc, it is also non-binding, which means that each of the E.U.’s 27 member states is allowed to establish its own policies for vaccination, testing, and quarantine procedures for international passengers.
Bulgaria designated the United States as a’red zone’ nation only a few days ago, making all Americans ineligible for entrance unless they meet certain precise requirements. In accordance with the related risk level for COVID-19 transmission, the Balkan nation presently categorizes other nations as either green, orange, or red.
Italy increased its restrictions on American travelers immediately after the European Union’s decision, demanding confirmation of complete immunization or recovery from a confirmed COVID-19 infection within the previous 180 days. Additional requirements include a negative molecular or antigen test done within 72 hours of arrival for passengers aged six and older. In accordance with Travel + Leisure, anyone who arrive without having received the required vaccinations must undergo an obligatory quarantine. Italy’s policy is expected to continue in effect until at least October 25.. It is also crucial to remember that persons must obtain a ‘Green Pass’ in order to visit some public locations in Italy, such as archeological sites, theaters, museums, and indoor dining and drinking establishments, among others.
Even before the European Union removed the United States from its safe travel list, Germany had already designated the United States as a ‘high-risk’ nation and begun requiring that American travelers either be completely vaccinated against COVID-19 or produce confirmation of past recovery from the virus. Unvaccinated visitors may still obtain admission, but they will be required to quarantine for a total of 10 days, unless they produce a negative test result after the fifth day, in which case they will be allowed to shorten their quarantine time. According to the schedule, this regulation will be in place until at least September 30.
Many European Union countries, despite the Commission’s revised proposal, have not tightened their regulations regarding the admission of American visitors. Visitors from the United States are still welcome in Portugal, where tourism represents for 15 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), as long as they show confirmation of a PCR or NAAT test performed within 72 hours or an antigen test performed within 48 hours of boarding their aircraft. Everyone, including children under the age of twelve, will be required to submit a passenger location card no later than four days before their scheduled arrival in Portugal.