Health

EU to open borders for vaccinated visitors

Brussels, May 19 (EFE).- The European Union on Wednesday agreed to open its external borders to tourists who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

The planned changes were announced by the European Commission (EC) after they were approved by the EU member states during a meeting in Brussels.

In a statement, the EC said that it “proposes to allow entry to the EU for non-essential reasons not only for all persons coming from countries with a good epidemiological situation but also all people who have received the last recommended dose of an EU-authorized vaccine.”

The list of countries that would be granted easier travel includes the United States, the United Kingdom, among other nations from outside the bloc.

The plan, yet to be signed off by EU ministers, would also see restrictions eased for fully vaccinated travelers when they arrive at their destination.

The EU member states proposed an “emergency brake” mechanism in order to fight off new coronavirus variants with temporary travel restrictions.

However, the new recommendations are not mandatory as each EU government has the final say on who enters its territory and on what terms.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the EU has banned non-essential travel from countries outside the bloc.

Meanwhile, negotiations are ongoing between the European institutions over the bloc’s own “digital green certificate” to facilitate free movement inside the EU, which is expected to enter into force in June.

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