Yet here we are with little sign of travel between Europe and the United States opening up on any significant level imminently. EU leaders are planning to reopen borders between member states by July 1, the Associated Press reported. France agreed to re-open borders with Germany by June 15. Which European countries are open for summer tourism travellers? The bel paese is normally the third most popular European destination for U.S. travelers, but … The European Union is preparing to reopen its external border to 15 countries outside of the bloc as early as Wednesday. “The fact that we’re here with less than a month before the election—both sides are making calculations as to how relief [for businesses] or reopening [travel] or lack thereof helps them best,” says Tori Emerson Barnes, executive vice president of public affairs and policy for the Washington, D.C.–based, Part of the problem, she says, is just how different and polarized the approach to travel amid the pandemic has been on a state-by-state level in the United States—with some states implementing, Back in March, European Union leaders agreed to impose, Luís Araújo, the recently appointed president of the. A German tourist sunbathes at the Riu Concordia hotel in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, on June 15, 2020. And the approach within Europe has been anything but coordinated as well—travelers coming from the United Kingdom can … The European press welcomes this, but some commentators call for clearer criteria and, in the event of future outbreaks, more cooperation in the phase when borders are being closed. In Europe, Slovenia last week proclaimed an end to its Covid-19 outbreak and reopened it borders to regional travelers. The officials said that the criteria is scientific and nonpolitical, and that the list will be revised every two weeks based on updated infection rates. Italy is slowly lifting restrictions after weeks and weeks in lockdown. The digital health pass, called CommonPass, was developed by Swiss-based nonprofit the Commons Project and the World Economic Forum; it is being presented to 37 governments (and counting) as a way to help facilitate the reopening of borders and travel amid the coronavirus pandemic. Trying to stay afloat without drowning: migrants reopen route to the Spanish Canary Islands As COVID-19 measures close borders within Africa, migrants find new ways to stay mobile. A big part of the challenge is the implementation and execution of any processes that are put in place prior to the November 3 election. The European Union pushed on Wednesday for a gradual reopening of borders within the bloc shut by the coronavirus, saying it was not too late to salvage some of … But not all European countries have stuck to those guidelines—for instance, on July 10, Croatia opened its borders to all international travelers as long as they provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test result procured within 48 hours of arriving at the Croatian border. Germany and Austria reopen border for everybody on 15th June. Source: Schengen Visa Info. Despite some glimmers of progress, others have indicated that they, too, don’t see the ban on travel being lifted—or a more widespread opening up of travel—in either direction before the end of the year. California’s New Lockdown: What Travelers Need to Know, Delta to Offer Quarantine-Free Travel to Italy, Sign up for the Daily Wander newsletter for expert travel inspiration and tips, Meandering through Maritime Canada by Rail. ); appeared weekly on The Travel Channel; and was a regular speaker at The New York Times Travel Show. BRUSSELS: Brussels set out plans to reopen the EU's internal borders on Thursday, even as the global coronavirus outbreak hit worrying new landmarks in … Spain to reopen borders on 21 June but other countries are adopting more targeted approach. The Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, announced Spain will first reopen it borders to all tourists coming from countries within the European Union on June 21. draft lists exclusively to The New York Times. The comparable number for the United States is 107, while Brazil’s is 190 and Russia’s is 80, according to a Times database. Europe’s reopening isn’t a repeat of the chaotic free-for-all in March, when panicked, uncoordinated border closures caused traffic jams that stretched for miles. By early June, scarred and battered, Europe was emerging from the depths of its fight against the coronavirus pandemic. European nations appear to be on track to reopen their borders, beginning in July. Visit my  website, tweet me @lealane or follow me on Instagram, where I'm Travelea. Between the upcoming U.S. presidential election, the number of governments and entities that need to work together and agree, and reciprocity issues, there are a lot of hurdles. The United States remains off the list due to the high coronavirus case numbers and deaths stateside. ETC is a Brussels-based collection of national tourism organizations  that promotes travel to Europe; it has been working with European governments to find ways to open to more international travelers. Currently, travel is restricted between different regions of France. On 15 June 2020, the European Commission launched Re-open EU, an online platform that contains essential information about the safe relaunch of free movement and tourism across Europe. The first 31 countries that have authorization to travel to Austria include all of the European Union nations , with the exception of UK, Sweden, Spain and Portugal. >> Next:  When Will We Be Able to Travel to Europe? With the help of COVID testing, there is hope that an “air bridge” allowing for travel between London and New York will be up and running by November. Even if European governments were able to reach a compromise on the terms of allowing additional foreign travelers in, the opening of travel from the United States to Europe would still rely on the United States opening up to Europe, too. A decision is expected early next week on who to let in and who not to. For instance, if it’s a COVID-19 testing protocol, requiring travelers to procure evidence of a negative test before and/or after their journey, that would ultimately be agreed upon, then all departure and arrival airports and destinations would need to be onboard with enforcement. Italy. European countries reopened borders Monday after a three-month coronavirus shutdown, although international visitors are still being kept away and … At least 6.3 million people visited Bali in 2019. France and Germany became the latest European countries to reopen their borders as the continent emerges from its three-month Covid-19 lockdown.. I don’t think we’re going to have any confidence back in the market before then. The European Union pushed on Wednesday for a gradual reopening of borders within the bloc shut by the coronavirus, saying it was not too late to salvage some of … Then, starting on July 3rd, Spain will reopen borders to additional countries, which can be found here. The European Union announced Tuesday, June 30, 2020 that it will reopen its borders to travelers from 14 countries, but most Americans have been refused entry for at least another two weeks due to soaring coronavirus infections in the U.S. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, File) The European Union will be opening its borders to much of the world on July 1. Switzerland to Reopen Borders for All EU/EFTA and UK Travelers on June 15. The European Union announced Tuesday, June 30, 2020 that it will reopen its borders to travelers from 14 countries, but most Americans have been refused entry for at least another two weeks due to soaring coronavirus infections in the U.S. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, File) “Very soon we will be launching communication campaigns to invite American citizens to come back to Europe,” he says. It’s safe to say that many of us cannot wait for that invitation. but is reopening them on July 1, unifying internal borders among … By Geir Moulson, Associated Press. “But it won’t be as carefree as before the corona crisis. And face masks and social distancing of one meter are in place. No date announced for borders reopening to non-essential travel other tourists, although another announcement is expected by 20 July regarding entry for the remaining European countries. Borders reopen for European travel By Cassandra Tanti - June 15, 2020 As expected, France opened its borders to travellers from EU member states on 15th June as well as those from Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, and the Vatican. Officials and diplomats were scheduled to meet again on Wednesday to continue discussing the details. The Dutch government said its citizens can now visit 16 European nations, but urged caution. The move is set to be a major boon to business and tourism despite fears of a resurgence of the coronavirus. Based on how countries are dealing with the pandemic, European nations are currently discussing two lists of acceptable visitors, according to the Times. Italy has been one of the … Although many of the countries have opened their borders, the availability of flights is essential to the flow of travelers. Borders to neighbouring countries to Germany may open after mid-June. Well, we just don’t know,” says ETOA’s Jenkins. What isn’t helping move things along is the fact that the United States is currently embroiled in an extremely distracting and politically disruptive presidential election. “It’s a much more complicated process beyond just, could there be an executive order that says OK, yes, we can have international travel [again],” says Barnes. We have already seen the beginnings of such a bilateral pilot with the first trials of a new digital health “passport,” which kicked off last week on United Airlines flights between London and New York, enabling travelers to provide certified COVID-19 test information to border officials upon arrival. created over a thousand travel pieces and columns, and authored eight books. But, she adds, “Ultimately, the lack of certainty around what happens in this election is creating an inability to actually move forward.”. I love to share discoveries in travel, food, art, culture and lifestyle through my words and photos. Germany and France are among many European countries reopening their borders to fellow European travelers, three months after coronavirus lockdown measures went into force. The U. S. has more than 2.3 million cases and over 120,000 deaths — more than any other country. You may opt-out by. Re-open EU also provides information on the various restrictions in place, including on quarantine and testing … Currently, there is no travel slowed between different regions of France. Italy: Borders are due to reopen to tourists on June 3. According to SchnegenVisaInfo, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has urged Poland and the Czech Republic to reopen their borders completely so the free flow of people and goods could be resumed. “From an international reopening standpoint, we absolutely think that getting the borders open is critical,” says Barnes. Ireland and the UK have a mandatory two-week quarantine for anyone entering the two countries. And just as in the United States, political posturing is an issue across the pond as well. but is reopening them on July 1, unifying internal borders among its 27 members, encouraging free travel and trade among them. “The ability for a governor to impact what an airport can or can’t do as it relates to testing or masks or what have you, the patchwork of the handling of the virus within the states, creates a lack of certainty on having a consistent approach to international reopening just from the U.S. side,” Barnes says. Those restrictions have been extended several times, and currently only travelers from a list of 10 countries are exempt from the ban—those coming from Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, and Uruguay. And the approach within Europe has been anything but coordinated as well—travelers coming from the United Kingdom can enter France without restrictions, but those going in the opposite direction have to quarantine; travelers to Italy coming from EU countries must fill out a health form, unless they’re coming from a list of countries that requires proof of a negative test. “You can go abroad for your holiday again,” Foreign Minister Stef Blok said. Scenes of drunken tourists in Spain and Ireland ignoring social-distancing rules raise fears of a new spike of COVID-19 in Europe, an early epicenter. [+] Greek-Bulgarian border. It enables you to follow the evolution of the coronavirus situation in your country and beyond. And both lists exclude the United States, Brazil and Russia. Germany and France reopen borders as Europe emerges from lockdown This article is more than 5 months old. Schengen in lockdown “Member States were acting alone and it is now high time the EU steps in before it is too late and irreparable damage to Schengen has been done,” said MEP Tanja Fajon , The chair of the civil liberties committee's working group on Schengen scrutiny. The EU borders remain closed to travellers from outside Europe, and the lifting of those will be a matter for discussion among European countries, the PM added. The European Union has closed its borders to most of the world since mid-March. Poland has beaten a European Commission target date to reopen EU borders by June 15. Greece is re-open its borders to the majority of European tourists, as well as those from certain other parts of the world, including Australia, Japan and New Zealand. However, she says she hasn’t received any indication that the executive order that President Trump put into place in March banning the majority of travelers coming from Europe to the United States will be lifted this year. Author of the award-winning travel memoir,  PLACES I REMEMBER: Tales, Truths, Delights from 100 Countries. ... A decision to open borders with Austria, ... numerous ministers expressed the desire to see a return to normality and advocated the lifting of European internal border controls as of June 15,” the press release reads. The benchmark is the E.U. Who could have thought back in mid-March—when history-altering travel bans brought travel between the U.S. and Europe to a standstill—that seven months later those bans would still be in place? There are some exceptions, including for European Union citizens, EU residents, some of their family members, passengers in transit, some essential workers, and students. The European Union is set to reopen its borders to visitors from more than a dozen countries, but not to Americans. “CBP wants to be part of the solution to build confidence in air travel, and we are glad to help the aviation industry and our federal partners [start up] a pilot like CommonPass.”. EU leaders initially agreed that member countries should not independently lift travel restrictions for countries that were not on the exempted list before it’s been decided upon in a coordinated manner. While most of Europe has … The majority of countries in Europe have reopened their borders in some capacity. And it’s not just about swaying voters one way or the other, notes Barnes. Besides Forbes, I've blogged at Huffpost, Salon, and the Daily Beast. “A lot of the quarantine measures in my opinion are grandstanding by governments wanting to be seen as acting strong and hanging tough. But not all European countries have stuck to those guidelines—for instance, on July 10, “Governments are going to decide [on their travel restrictions]—and it’s not something over which we have any control,” says Tom Jenkins, CEO of the U.K.-based, Despite the presidential election distractions, Barnes notes that there are numerous government agencies in Washington having conversations about when and how to reopen our borders to travelers from Europe and elsewhere—the, However, she says she hasn’t received any indication that the, We have already seen the beginnings of such a bilateral pilot with the, With the help of COVID testing, there is hope that an “air bridge” allowing for travel between London and New York will be, travel restrictions on most foreigners entering Europe. 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