The European Union is considering eliminating the list of epidemiologically safe third countries, also known as the “white list” that European countries have followed in recent years to allow tourists to enter their territory. The European Tourism Council (ETC) has issued a decision on the freedom of movement of EU countries, according to the agency’s website.
Commenting on the issue, the ETC noted that the European bloc and Member States that still maintain restricted entry restrictions should lift all travel restrictions as soon as the situation allows. Thereby calling on the EU to end the list of epidemiologically safe third countries.
“The white list should be abandoned, moving completely to a person-centered approach. The updated recommendations should also include the lifting of all restrictions on travel within the EU and the EEA as soon as the epidemiological situation allows, especially given the upcoming season, which is crucial for the recovery of the sector, “said ETC.
A “white list” of non-EU / EEA countries emerged during the coronavirus pandemic. The list included countries with low levels of infection and high levels of vaccination. In Europe, such third countries were called safe, so allowed tourists to enter European regions from these regions. The list first came into force in the summer of 2020 in an attempt by EU countries to revive travel and tourism in Europe. The list was periodically reviewed and adjusted according to the situation in every third country, taking into account the total number of infections, vaccination, and recovery rates.
While most EU countries no longer use the list because they have lifted all entry restrictions, some others are still guided by it. The latter usually allow completely unrestricted entry for tourists from countries included in this list, without requiring confirmation of vaccination, recovery from COVID-19, or even test results.
This list currently includes the following countries:
- Bahrain
- Indonesia
- Qatar
- China (subject to reciprocity)
- Colombia
- Kuwait
- New Zealand
- United Arab Emirates
- Peru
- Rwanda
- Saudi Arabia
- Uruguay
- Chile
- South Korea
The ETC also called on the Member States to refrain from using the EU’s COVID digital certificate as a reason to impose additional travel restrictions, stressing that even the World Health Organization (WHO) has concluded that travel restrictions no longer have the desired effect to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
In addition, the Council also insisted that the list of vaccines accepted for EUDCC should be expanded to include all those approved by the WHO, not just those approved by the EMA.