On March 17, 2020, a tweet and a video summit of EU leaders announced that for the first time in its history, the European Union was closing its borders almost entirely to outsiders (exceptions were still made for essential travel, but standards for that qualifier were high). At the time, the barricade was meant to last “at least” 30 days. On July 1, it will have lasted almost three and a half months.
Back in April, France was predicting that the EU would remain closed until September, but thankfully the end of the EU travel ban is, at last, in sight.
According to Josep Borrell, vice president and foreign affairs chief of the European Commission, July 1 marks the beginning of the end of the EU travel ban. In a “gradual and partial” manner, restrictions for non-essential travel will at last be eased and international travelers allowed to return. The move will take into account certain criteria and “be based on a common, coordinated approach by member states,” Borrell said.
In a discussion with journalists on June 10, Borrell hinted that travelers from low-risk countries like Canada, Australia, and New Zealand would be allowed first, and progress further would depend on other countries reaching certain criteria, probably having to do with controlled infection rates, testing, and internal policies. He was clear that high risk countries like the United States and Iran would not be immediately welcome until their coronavirus numbers were under better control.
Inside the EU, individual countries have been controlling their own opening conditions, but there is currently a proposal to agree on a consistent schedule and avoid making the small continent a complicated hash of different opening dates and isolation requirements.
EU countries are currently collaborating on internal border openings, and the EU hopes to have all internal borders open before July 1.
Photo: Passport control entrance for EU and other passport holders at Prague Airport in the Czech Republic. Credit: Uskarp / Shutterstock.com