The E.U. may ease travel restrictions
The proposal looks to make it easier for fully vaccinated travelers to enter the E.U.
🇪🇺
The European Union Commission has tabled a proposal to ease travel restrictions for travelers, especially those who are fully vaccinated, coming from countries outside the E.U.
The proposal, if adopted, would allow entry into the E.U. for fully vaccinated travelers and those coming from countries with “a good epidemiological situation.” Fully vaccinated travelers would be defined as anyone having two doses of an E.U. approved vaccine, Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, or Johnson & Johnson, with the second dose taken at least 14 days prior to travel. The E.U. is considering extending the vaccine requirement to include “vaccines having completed the WHO emergency use listing process.”
Pertinent to the easing of travel restrictions in Denmark, the commission proposal states, “if Member States decide to waive the requirements to present a negative PCR test and/or to undergo quarantine for vaccinated persons on their territory, they should also waive such requirements for vaccinated travellers from outside the E.U.”
In addition, the measure would raise thresholds used to determine whether or not travel is permitted from countries based on each country’s COVID situation. This could potentially expand the list of countries approved for travel. Currently just seven countries are approved for travel into the E.U. They are Australia, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and China. In China’s case, the E.U. notes any easing of travel restrictions is “subject to confirmation of reciprocity.”
As a safety measure, the proposal also includes an ‘emergency brake’ provision allowing the E.U. and its member states to swiftly restrict travel from countries seeing an “emergence of coronavirus variants of concern.” Travel would then be restricted to essential visitors only. Essential travelers includes healthcare professionals, transport personnel, diplomats, transit passengers, and those travelling for imperative family reasons. Even then, essential travelers would have strict testing and quarantine requirements.
The European Union and member countries are already well on their way to introducing a digital vaccine passport. Many countries like Denmark already have interim systems already up and running, enabling people to show their vaccination status and latest test result on their mobile devices. The logistical problem for travelers coming from outside the E.U. will be the array of certificates or cards used as proof of vaccination. The E.U. says in its proposal that member states should be able to accept vaccination certificates from non-E.U. countries “taking into account the ability to verify the authenticity, validity and integrity of the certificate and whether it contains all relevant data.” The Commission suggests E.U. countries set up a portal allowing travelers to authenticate their vaccination certificates from non-E.U. countries, presumably prior to their trip.
As for the logistical challenge of what to do with children who currently cannot be vaccinated, the E.U. proposes they be allowed to travel with vaccinated parents if they can show a negative COVID test no more than 72 hours old “prior to arrival.” It also advises member states to require children to be tested again upon arrival.
The E.U. Commission will have a first discussion of this proposal on May 4th followed by a discussion at the meeting of E.U. Ambassadors on May 5th. If adopted, member states will have to adjust travel requirements accordingly.
Hey Shane! By "would allow entry into the E.U. for fully vaccinated travelers", does that mean allow entry into the EU without a worthy purpose? Or do they still need to have a worthy purpose to enter Denmark (i.e. family member, sweetheart, etc.)?
Hey Shane! By "would allow entry into the E.U. for fully vaccinated travelers", does that mean allow entry into the EU without worthy purpose? Or they still need to have a worthy purpose to enter Denmark? (i.e. family member, sweetheart, etc.)