EU Starts Opening Borders to Third-Country Nationals

From now on, EU member states should gradually remove travel restrictions for residents of a number of third countries. The EU Council returned the United States to the list of countries for whose citizens the borders closed due to the pandemic will be open. This was stated by the EU Council, circulated in Brussels on Friday, June 18. "After revising in accordance with the recommendation to gradually remove temporary restrictions on non-essential travel to the EU, the Council has updated the list of countries, special administrative regions and other entities and territorial bodies in respect of which travel restrictions should be lifted," the message says. It is noted that from June 18, 2021, member states should gradually lift travel restrictions at external borders for residents of the following third countries: Albania, Australia, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Rwanda, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, USA, China. This list will be reviewed every two weeks. At the same time, the Council emphasizes that the borders will open for the PRC only when this country opens the borders for the EU. Recall that earlier France opened its borders to tourists. The French authorities have divided the countries around the globe into red, orange and green zones. Ukraine got in an orange list. It was also reported that Canada will ease restrictions on vaccinated tourists. At the moment, travelers to Canada go through a 14-day isolation period, even if they received both doses of the vaccine.