The Council today adopted an amendment to temporarily restrict non-essential travel to the EU. This change responds to the ongoing vaccination campaigns by introducing certain exemptions for vaccinated people and relaxing the criteria for lifting restrictions for third countries. At the same time, it takes into account the possible risks of new variants by providing an emergency braking mechanism in order to react quickly to the appearance of an interesting or worrying variant in a third country.
Criteria for lifting restrictions for all third-country travelers
In order to lift the restrictions on non-essential travel for a specific third country, the number of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the last 14 days will be increased from 25 to 75. Advances in vaccinating the general population against the virus should also be taken into account. At the same time, in response to the risk of new variants, the discovery of variants of interest in a country should also be considered along with variants of concern.
Other existing criteria continue to apply, including a stable or decreasing trend in new cases, the number of tests performed, a 4% positivity rate for all tests performed, the general response to COVID-19 in the country, and the reliability of the information available. Reciprocity should still be taken into account on a case-by-case basis.
Removal of restrictions on vaccinated persons
In principle, if Member States accept proof of vaccination to lift travel restrictions such as testing or quarantine, they should lift restrictions on non-essential travel for third country travelers who have received the last recommended dose of an EMA approved vaccine at least 14 days prior to arrival. Member States could also remove restrictions on non-essential travel for those who received at least 14 days before the last recommended dose of a vaccine after completing the WHO emergency list procedure.
When lifting these restrictions, Member States should take reciprocity into account on a case-by-case basis.
After its adoption, the regulation on the digital green certificate will form the basis through an implementing act of the Commission that vaccination certificates from third countries will be treated as equivalent to digital green certificates. Until then, in accordance with national law and taking into account the need to be able to check the authenticity, validity and integrity of the certificate, Member States should be able to accept third-country certificates that contain at least a minimum set of data.
Emergency braking mechanism
If the epidemiological situation of a third country or region deteriorates rapidly, especially if a worrying or interesting variant has been identified, the Member States should impose an urgent, temporary restriction on all travel to the EU. This emergency brake should not apply to EU citizens, EU long-term residents and certain categories of essential travelers who should still undergo adequate testing and quarantine, even if fully vaccinated.
If a Member State applies such restrictions, the Member States meeting in the Council should urgently review the situation in a coordinated manner and in close cooperation with the Commission. Such restrictions should be reviewed at least every two weeks.
background
On June 30, 2020, the Council adopted a recommendation to gradually lift temporary restrictions on non-essential travel to the EU. This recommendation included an initial list of countries for which Member States should start lifting travel restrictions at the external borders, which will be reviewed every two weeks.
On February 2, 2021, the Council adopted an amendment recommendation updating the criteria for the lifting of restrictions, defining measures for travelers and providing for the rapid reintroduction of restrictions in worsening situations or when a high incidence of questionable variants is identified.
On 3 May 2021, in view of the evolution of the epidemiological situation and the progress of vaccination campaigns, the Commission presented a proposal to further relax the current restrictions on non-essential travel.
The Council recommendation is not a legally binding instrument. The authorities of the member states remain responsible for implementing the content of the recommendation.
