After the United States was removed from the European Union's safe travels lists, it appears that at least one European Union country will require vaccinated Americans in quarantine.
The Netherlands has new restrictions on vaccinated Americans
According to the official website of the Netherlands government,:
On September 4, 2021, all Americans who have been vaccinated will need to be quarantined upon their arrival. The quarantine period will last for 10 days but can be reduced by testing.
To enter the country, vaccinated Americans must have a negative coronavirus screening by September 6. This is a change from what was previously required.
Unvaccinated Americans will be outlawed starting September 4, 2021
It is amazing at how many pages you need to look through to find this information on a government official website.
This tidbit will make it clear that the United States has been designated extremely high-risk beginning September 4. Testing will be required starting September 6.
As of September 4, the EU will designate very high-risk zones outside the US, Israel and Kosovo. These areas are exempted from the EU entry ban and travelers can only enter the Netherlands after they have been fully vaccinated. They will be required to adhere to the mandatory quarantine requirement as of September 4. Travellers from these areas will also need to show a negative result on their tests starting 6 September. It is no longer sufficient to show proof of vaccination or recovery.
What is the mandatory quarantine requirement for a country? According to the government website
If you are returning to the Netherlands from an area with a high risk of infection, such as areas where there is a variant of the virus, you must self-quarantine. Even if you have proof that you are vaccinated or have recovered from an illness, this requirement will apply. You might be able reduce the quarantine period if you are tested by a physician on day 5. Depending on your purpose, you may be exempted from the mandatory quarantine requirement.
This page addresses the quarantine exceptions, which don't allow anyone to travel to the Netherlands to do tourism. Transit passengers, people who have been in low-risk areas for at least 10 days and those traveling for other important reasons, are all included.
Transit is still possible in the Netherlands
This is why it's a significant development
Recent news revealed that the United States would be removed on the European Union's safe travels lists due to increasing cases over here and the refusal of the Biden administration to open borders for Europeans despite lower numbers and higher vaccination rates.
The truth is that the European Union does not have the ability to place specific restrictions on borders across all its member countries. Instead, the organization makes recommendations.
This change had the biggest impact on American unvaccinated citizens. However, this was not the case for all countries as each country can decide their own policy. Greece, for example, is open to anyone from the world who needs testing, regardless their vaccination status.
You can place restrictions on travelers coming from high-risk countries. That's what we saw here. Since the country was removed on the safe travels list, the Netherlands has been the first European Union country that has added a substantial quarantine requirement to vaccinated Americans.
A quarantine for tourists traveling is, in all practical terms, the same thing as an entry ban. I'm curious to see if others follow.
Quarantine is required for all Americans who have been vaccinated.
Bottom line
Recently, the United States was removed from the European Union's safe travels lists. This was only a recommendation. Individual European Union countries can take their own decisions.
The Netherlands has taken it one step further than most countries that have banned unvaccinated Americans. The Netherlands will be imposing a quarantine on Americans starting September 4. This will make it more difficult for Americans to travel for tourism.
Is it not surprising that the Netherlands has added a quarantine requirement to vaccinated Americans in recent years?
Dayten: Tip of the hat
