The European Union has barred most travelers from the United States amid the rising coronavirus cases in the U.S.
The 27-member Council of the EU released a list on Tuesday morning of 14 nations who are cleared to have travel restrictions removed when the EU reopens its borders on Wednesday – but the U.S. is not on that list.
Travelers from Algeria, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, Serbia, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay will be cleared from travel restrictions into the EU.
Travelers from China will also be allowed if China reciprocates.
“The criteria to determine the third countries for which the current travel restriction should be lifted cover in particular the epidemiological situation and containment measures, including physical distancing, as well as economic and social considerations,” the EU statement said.
The EU will only consider lifting travel restrictions on nations who have seen a number of new COVID-19 cases below the EU average over the past 14 days, a stable or decreasing trend of new cases, and satisfactory overall response to COVID-19.
The EU will only hold reviews every two weeks to consider removing travel restrictions on additional nations.
Travelers originating from still-restricted nations will only be exempted if they are EU citizens or long-time residents, family members of EU citizens or long-time residents, or if they have an essential need.
