BRUSSELS – European Union countries that closed their borders in March because of the novel coronavirus have updated their list of countries where travel restrictions have been lifted.
According to report by Anadolu Agency, the European Council has released a final version of the list of countries "recommended" for lifting travel restrictions, which it last updated on October 22.
According to the list, the EU's external borders, which were completely closed in March as part of the outbreak measures, will be gradually opened to Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand.
Borders will also be open to China if EU countries grant travel permits to their citizens.
EU travel restrictions on all countries not included in the list will continue.
However, the list will be updated again in accordance with the Covid-19 situation and restrictive measures in respective countries.
Travel restrictions will also be imposed on the UK, which is not listed and has officially left the EU, it added.
In March, the EU imposed restrictions on non-mandatory travel to the 27 member states as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, which are part of the Schengen Area, to curb the spread of the outbreak.
The list, which is not binding for member states, is "recommended”. – Bernama, December 18, 2020
