The European Council has recommended that EU members ease travel restrictions on passengers arriving from “third” countries, such as the UK. The council said that from 1 March member states should allow non-essential travel for people who have been vaccinated against Covid-19 or who have recovered from the virus.
To qualify as vaccinated, travellers must have had their last dose of their primary vaccination “at least 14 days and no more than 270 days before arrival or they have received a booster dose”. “Member states should also lift the temporary restriction on non-essential travel for persons who have recovered from Covid-19 within 180 days prior to travelling to the EU,” added the council.
The recommendation added that EU countries could also require travellers from third countries to take a PCR test up to 72 hours before departure and apply quarantine or self-isolation measures if they wished.
“A negative PCR test before departure could also be required for persons who have recovered from Covid-19, as well as for persons who have been vaccinated with an EU-approved vaccine but do not hold an EU or equivalent certificate.” For all Covid restrictions to be lifted for travellers from a third country, the number of Covid cases in that country should be up to 100 per 100,000 people over the previous 14 days.
Although the council makes recommendations, EU countries continue to be free to make their own decisions on their Covid-related border rules, as they have done throughout the pandemic, which has led to criticism of a lack of consistency by the travel industry.
Julia Simpson, CEO of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), welcomed the EU’s decision as a “sensible” move.
(Source: BTN Europe)
