European Union: European Council maintains COVID-19-related recommendations for non-EU travel Dec. 8 /update 8

European Council maintains recommendations to allow travel from nine non-EU countries as of Dec. 8.

Event

The European Council is maintaining its advice for European Union members states to relax entry restrictions for nine non-EU countries as part of the bloc's measures to combat the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). As of Dec. 8, the following countries are on the recommended list for travel:

Australia
Japan
New Zealand
Rwanda
Singapore
South Korea
Thailand
Uruguay
China (provided they implement a reciprocal travel arrangement)

Countries participating in the measure comprise the so-called "EU+ Area," which includes all EU Schengen Area member states; non-Schengen EU members Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, and Romania; and the four non-EU Schengen-associated states of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. The European Council's recommendation is advisory only; individual member states retain the authority to unilaterally deny travel from countries on the approved list or to permit travel with countries not on the approved list.

Citizens of the UK are being treated as EU citizens until the end of the Brexit transition period Dec. 31. Persons exempted from the recommendations include family members of EU nationals, diplomats, foreigners with legal residency permits, cross-border and healthcare workers, and truck drivers transporting freight.

Advice

Prospective travelers from countries on the approved list should check for possible additional restrictions imposed by the destination country prior to booking travel. Persons from countries not on the approved list should postpone travel to the countries participating in the closure. Follow all official immigration and health screening instructions. Exercise basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent COVID-19, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.