Confirmed: EU recommends restrictions on US travelers as delta variant spreads
The European Union on Aug. 30 recommended that member states reimplement travel restrictions for U.S. visitors.
The move is the result of the continued spread of the coronavirus in the United States. The recommendation, which is not mandatory, means the U.S. has been removed from the EU’s “safe list.” Israel (one of the world’s most-vaccinated countries), Kosovo, Lebanon, Montenegro and North Macedonia were also removed from the list.
“Following a review under the recommendation on the gradual lifting of the temporary restrictions on nonessential travel into the EU, the Council updated the list of countries, special administrative regions and other entities and territorial authorities for which travel restrictions should be lifted,” the Council of the EU said in a statement.
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The EU reopened to fully vaccinated American tourists in June. U.S. travelers could avoid mandatory quarantine by showing a negative COVID-19 test or proof of vaccination. (Travelers must be fully vaccinated with one of the vaccines approved in the EU, including Johnson & Johnson, Moderna or Pfizer.) If countries decided to reimpose restrictions, unvaccinated U.S. travelers could be subjected to testing and quarantine requirements. The new restrictions would not apply to vaccinated travelers, according to The New York Times.
When the EU reopened to vaccinated American tourists this summer, the hope was for an influx of eager travelers during the peak tourism season. European countries reliant on tourism, including Iceland, France, Spain, Croatia, Portugal and Greece, reopened their borders to U.S. citizens early on.
But individual member nations can decide when to relax — or tighten — entry requirements.
The EU recommendation comes as the highly transmissible delta variant surges throughout unvaccinated pockets of the United States. Just 52% of the U.S. population has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data. The U.S. reported nearly 180,000 new cases on Aug. 27, the highest figure since late January.
Still, the travel industry was largely upset with the move, with many calling the recommendation “disappointing.”
“The European Union’s recommendations are a step backwards, and clearly disappointing to the U.S. airline industry which has worked diligently to safely resume transatlantic service,” the trade group Airlines for America (A4A) said on Aug. 30.
Restrictions will likely further hurt the EU’s travel sector, which is already reeling from the pandemic.
The U.S. Travel Association, an organization that represents the travel industry, urged the EU to remain open to vaccinated Americans and encouraged the U.S. to reopen for travel. The U.S. remains closed to much of Europe as part of the Trump administration's ban on travelers from Schengen-area countries.
“This is a disappointing development following the boost in inbound visitation by vaccinated travelers that many EU countries experienced this summer,” U.S. Travel Association executive vice president Tori Emerson Barnes said in a statement. “Travel is a crucial component of the global economy and will be necessary for a full recovery from the economic devastation of the pandemic.
Despite the potential impact on tourism, some EU members may already be enhancing travel restrictions and testing requirements.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA), the global trade association of airlines, echoed Emerson Barnes in a statement, saying that travelers "who are fully vaccinated should be free to move without restriction."
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Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees