Efforts to revive tourism, EU proposes to ease entry restrictions

In an announcement that is sure to be welcomed by travelers worldwide, European Union (EU) officials on May 3 proposed easing restrictions on entry to the 27-nation bloc. as Covid-19 vaccination campaigns across the continent are being accelerated.

Tourists visit the Rialto bridge in Venice, northern Italy on May 1. Italy is gradually reopening after six months of closure to prevent Covid-19. (Photo: AP)

Travel to the EU is being restricted with the exception of some countries with low Covid-19 infection rates. But with the summer tourist season approaching, the European Commission (EC) expects the new recommendations to significantly expand the list of countries allowed to enter the bloc.

The EC also hopes the move will soon allow travelers to reunite with their friends and relatives living in Europe and support the bloc's economy this summer.

"It's time to revive EU tourism and let cross-border friendships rekindle - safely," said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. "We propose to welcome back vaccinated travelers and people from countries with a good epidemiological situation."

A terrace cafe in Utrecht on April 28 was full of outdoor seating as the Dutch government eased restrictive measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19. The Netherlands became the latest European country to start cautiously easing its lockdown even as the infection rate and the proportion of Covid-19 patients in intensive care remain high. (Photo: AP)

Under the EC's proposal, entry rights would be granted to all persons fully vaccinated with EU-licensed vaccines. Vaccines approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to date include Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson.

EU countries can also decide on their own to accept travelers immunized with WHO-listed vaccines for emergency use. The United Nations health agency has approved four EMA-like vaccines and is expected to issue a ruling on China's Sinopharm vaccine soon.

EU officials believe that the bloc's Covid-19 vaccination campaigns will soon become a "game changer" in the fight against the deadly virus SARS-CoV-2.

To enter into force, this EC proposal would have to be submitted to the Member States. Ambassadors of 27 EU countries will consider on May 5. The EC hopes the proposal can begin to be implemented in June after it has been ratified by member states.

One of the most famous landmarks in the world, the Eiffel Tower, remains closed to this day (Image: GETTY IMAGE)

However, the recommendation is not binding and EU countries will have the right to maintain travel restrictions if they so desire.

EC spokesman Adalbert Jahnz said fully vaccinated travelers coming from outside the EU should be allowed to enter Europe but stressed that the aim of the proposal was not to exempt testing or ways cups for visitors upon arrival.

“This (testing, isolation) is up to each member state,” he said.

The commission also proposes to raise the rate of Covid-19 infections to decide whether the country is in a "green zone" for entry permits.

Accordingly, the EC proposes to raise the 14-day infection rate to 100 cases per 100,000 population from the current 25 cases per 100,000 population. This rate is still much lower than the current EU average of more than 420 cases per 1000,000 population.

In the event of a worsening of the infection situation in a non-EU country, particularly due to a variant, the EC will also introduce a mechanism to rapidly suspend arrivals.