WASHINGTON – United States tourists vaccinated against Covid-19 will be able to visit the European Union in the coming months, said European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen in an interview with The New York Times yesterday.
Signalling a major change in EU policy as vaccinations step up worldwide, von der Leyen gave no timetable, but NYT said the new rules could be in place by this summer.
“The Americans, as far as I can see, use European Medicines Agency (EMA)-approved vaccines.
“This will enable free movement and travel to the EU.
“Because one thing is clear: all 27 member states will accept, unconditionally, all those who are vaccinated with vaccines that are approved by EMA.”
The bloc’s drug regulator has approved the three vaccines being used in the US: Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson.
NYT said the US’ rapid vaccination programme, and progress in talks on how to use vaccine certificates are behind the plan to allow the return of leisure travel from the US to the EU.
Von der Leyen said the US is making “huge progress”, and noted that it is on track to vaccinate 70% of adults by the middle of June.
The resumption of travel will depend “on the epidemiological situation, but the situation is improving in the US, as it is, hopefully, also improving in the EU”.
The pandemic has ravaged tourism in the continent, with many nations shutting their borders for non-essential travel.
Greece last week said travellers from the EU and five other countries who are vaccinated or have a recent negative Covid-19 test will no longer have to quarantine upon arrival.
The country is eager to reopen its badly hit tourism sector, and has ramped up its vaccine roll-out in the hopes of building up immunity among residents.
The EU has said it wants to launch a vaccine passport for travellers, though plans have not yet been formalised. – AFP, April 26, 2021
