EU Countries Agree to Open Borders for Fully Vaccinated Travelers

Representatives of EU member states have agreed to allow entry into the Union for travelers from other countries who have received the necessary doses of COVID-19 vaccines authorized at the European level, according to European sources. With the summer tourist season approaching, ambassadors from the 27 countries approved this recommendation proposed by the European Commission, although it is not mandatory. The European Union is attempting to coordinate its measures concerning its external borders due to their impact on freedom of movement within its territory. The EU closed its external borders in March 2020 for "non-essential" travel and has since imposed a limited list, reviewed regularly, regarding the countries from which vaccinated and unvaccinated residents can enter the Union. In parallel, member states agreed to establish a coordinated emergency mechanism for the rapid suspension of entry for travelers from other countries if health conditions deteriorate due to the emergence of new variants of the coronavirus.