This archive report was first published on 28 June 2020.
On June 28, 2020, the European Union was still deciding on a list of 'safe countries' from which travellers could visit Europe in July, with some member states requiring more time to make a decision.
After days of talks, EU envoys agreed to propose a list of 14 countries to their national governments, excluding the United States, where the coronavirus was still spreading.
However, the proposed list has been met with some resistance, with some countries wanting to limit the reopening to countries with an epidemiological situation 'comparable or better' than that in the bloc.
Under this criteria, travellers from the United States, Brazil, and Canada would remain banned.
Despite the ongoing consultations, the EU presidency still hopes to put the matter to a vote on Monday, with a list of 14 'safe' countries, including Algeria, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, Serbia, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, and Uruguay.
Crucially, travellers from China would be approved to enter, but under the condition that Beijing would do the same for Europeans.
