[title]
Well, it was fun while it lasted.
Following last year’s global shutdown, the majority of EU countries started to allow travellers to cross borders freely within Europe – as long as they brought along a negative test result or proof of vaccination – again this summer. Meanwhile, visitors from elsewhere have had to find themselves on the coveted 'white list' – a small list of nations currently deemed safe by the EU – in order to avoid restrictions like mandatory quarantines.
This week, the EU updated the 'white list,' but instead of getting larger, the list got much smaller. Six nations were removed from the list, including the United States, and no additional countries were added.
Also removed from the list this week were Israel, Kosovo, Lebanon, Montenegro, and the Republic of North Macedonia.
The full list is now as follows:
Albania
Armenia
Australia
Azerbaijan
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Brunei Darussalam
Canada
China
Japan
Jordan
New Zealand
Qatar
Republic of Moldova
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Singapore
South Korea
Ukraine
Visitors from these countries will now be able to enter the EU without having to quarantine and can move freely between member nations. To compile the list, diplomats had originally recommended including all countries with an incidence rate of below 75 cases per 100,000 over a 14-day period – a number that is currently not being met by most of the world.
But there’s still hope for Brits and Americans dreaming of a European holiday this year. EU countries are free to ignore the advice and allow in visitors who aren’t on this list. Otherwise, you might want to consider a holiday slightly closer to home.
Remember, many countries are still warning against all non-essential travel and some are quarantining all overseas arrivals, including their own returning citizens. Check all the relevant restrictions before you think about travelling.
Where can you travel right now? Here’s what you need to know.