The European Union lifted its travel ban on Americans in June. This may not be the last straw. It is now reported that the European Union will reimpose travel restrictions on Americans starting Monday.
USA to be removed form the EU safe travel list
The European Union, or more precisely the Schengen area, closed its borders to all peoples from the majority of the world in March 2020. Based on the epidemiological conditions in each country, restrictions were lifted. This meant that Americans were expelled for over a year.
This was finally changed in June 2021. The European Union added the United States to its safe travel list in June 2021.
Coronavirus cases in the United States have increased dramatically in recent weeks. There are now over 500 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people in the United States, and they continue to rise.
Officials from the European Union stated that the safe travel list could be modified depending on the current situation in each country. There were reports a few weeks back that the European Union might impose travel restrictions on Americans. However, these discussions never materialized.
This week, however, it is a different story. The European Union discussed the possibility of imposing travel restrictions on Americans visiting the EU. It seems highly probable. Reuters reports that travel restrictions have been imposed by the European Union on Americans and five other countries.
These new restrictions are expected to become final Monday, provided that no European Union country objects. These five countries are Israel, Kosovo and Montenegro.
This is a valid decision. Previously, Americans were allowed to access the European Union without restriction due to the small number of cases in the country.
The EU could remove the US from its safe travel list
However, this does not necessarily mean that Americans will be expelled.
Although the United States is likely to be removed from the European Union's safe travel list it doesn't mean that Americans will be expelled from all European Union countries.
The European Union cannot make any recommendations regarding entry restrictions. Individual countries have the right to maintain their policies. For example, Greece opened its doors to Americans before it was recommended by the European Union.
Even though the United States is removed from the safe travel list by the European Union, many European Union countries allow travelers who are not vaccinated from unsafe countries to enter the Schengen area.
We have already seen the United States be subject to restrictions by individual countries of the European Union due to increasing case numbers. Germany, for instance, recently prohibited unvaccinated Americans
Americans may still be able to visit certain parts of Europe
Do you see any element of reciprocity?
The European Union's travel restrictions are largely based on the number and severity of cases within a country. However, the policy has always been reciprocal. Last year, for example, the European Union added China on its safe travel list. However, this was only subject to reciprocity (which didn't happen).
There is a degree of reciprocity, I think. While the European Union lifted travel restrictions for Americans, the United States still has not lifted restrictions for European Union citizens. Biden's administration stated that it will not lift travel restrictions for now. It is rumored, however, that visitors could need to be vaccinated once the restrictions are lifted. I am all for allowing only vaccinated visitors into the country, but it should be done quickly.
It is possible that the European Union, at least partially, may be becoming impatient and this could also contribute to the eventual outcome. It would be well-deserved. I'm not certain what part of the US policy follows the science.
Living with coronavirus is possible only if you are vaccinated. However, there are no travel restrictions on vaccination status.
The United States travel bans don't reflect the current state of coronavirus. For example, Germans are not allowed to visit the United States while those from other countries have higher cases are allowed.
The vast majority of coronavirus cases in America are from the delta variant. We're not advocating a zero tolerance approach to coronavirus.
Let's let the unvaccinated Americans have fun in Florida, with no restrictions. Vaccinated people from the European Union cannot even enter the United States.
The Biden administration's inaction on these absurd policies has disappointed me. It seems like there is a bias to maintain the status quo in a baseless manner just because.
It is not logical for the United States to impose travel restrictions at this time.
Bottom line
The European Union placed the United States on its safe travel lists in June, which allows for unrestricted travel within the European Union. The low number of coronavirus cases in the United States prompted this decision. The European Union leadership is working to impose travel restrictions, as cases are now rising significantly. We could see that the European Union will recommend banning unvaccinated travel from the United States by Monday.
Even if the agreement is reached, each country would decide their own policies. Additionally, exceptions could be made for travelers who are vaccinated. So, even if you are vaccinated, I would expect that you can still travel to most European Union countries, even if the policy is changed.
What do you think of the European Union's decision to remove the United States from the safe travel lists?
