EC Calls for Limited Opening of External European Union Border

The European Commission on Thursday recommended that Schengen-area member and associated states lift internal border controls by June 15 and prolong the temporary restriction on non-essential travel into the European Union (EU) until June 30. In an apparent effort to encourage states to lift restrictions in a coordinated manner, the EC said member states should together choose which countries from outside the Schengen area they exclude from the restriction based on their respective Covid-19 health situation, the ability to apply containment measures during travel, and reciprocity considerations, taking into account data from sources such as the European Center for Disease Prevention and the World Health Organization.

For countries against which restrictions remain in place, the commission has proposed enlarging the categories of permitted travelers to include, for instance, international students. The commission is also issuing guidance to member states to ensure the resumption of visa operations abroad coordinates well with the gradual lifting of the travel restrictions.

The decision to limit the number of countries exempt from border restrictions from July 1 could prove contentious, raising the possibility of retaliatory measures by those still subject to the controls. Given that performance in tackling the Covid-19 threat is the main criterion for exclusion, it would stand to reason that restrictions would still apply to countries with the highest rates of infection. According to data from Johns Hopkins University, the U.S., Brazil, Russia, and the UK rank as the top four countries with the highest number of Covid infections, followed closely by India.

Under a series of Presidential Proclamations, the U.S. still imposes an indefinite ban on citizens of China, Iran, the European Union, the UK and Brazil. In theory, President Trump could choose to lift the restrictions, based on recommendations from the Department of Health and Human Services, but it remains unclear whether the U.S. has considered lifting them and, if so, when.

“Following the lifting of all internal border checks inside the union, we are proposing a clear and flexible approach towards removing restrictions on travel to the EU starting on July 1, said EC commissioner for home affairs Ylva Johansson. “International travel is key for tourism and business, and for family and friends reconnecting. While we will all have to remain careful, the time has come to make concrete preparations for lifting restrictions with countries whose health situation is similar to the EU's and for resuming visa operations.”

The commission already has recommended the lifting of travel restrictions specifically for Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia as of July 1, given that their epidemiological situations are equal to or better than that of the EU.

On June 11, the International Air Transport Association published an interactive map designed to explain the complex and changing array of travel restrictions worldwide.