European Commission proposes reopening of borders to non-European travelers

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen advocates reopening borders to non-European travelers.

Here in Brussels, April 23, 2021. AP - Francois Walschaerts

Text by: RFI Follow

2 min

As Europe gradually begins post-third wave deconfinement, the reopening of borders is asserting itself as one of the major concerns of the European Commission.

Simultaneously with the implementation of the European green certificate, the Commission is now also proposing to authorize the increasingly wide entry to non-Europeans.

This proposal could partly revive tourism this summer.

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With our correspondent in Brussels, 

Pierre Benazet

The European Commission is first proposing to open the Union's borders to vaccinated travelers.

Anyone who can prove a full vaccination would be allowed unconditional entry into the EU.

Either with one of the vaccines approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), or with a vaccine from the list of emergency approvals of the World Health Organization (WHO).

The committee is already seeking to establish common criteria for the validity and authenticity of proof of vaccination which could be compatible with the green digital certificate which Europeans will be able to have in June.

The committee is also proposing to allow non-essential travel for travelers from countries considered safe.

There are only seven so far, with one criterion: 25 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants over the previous two weeks.

Knowing that the European average is 426 new cases per 100,000, the Commission proposes to raise this threshold to 100 new cases in order to be able to classify countries as safe.

This door open to non-essential travelers will now have to receive the approval of the 27 capitals, which the European Commission hopes for the end of the month.

► Read also: Covid-19: this summer, the European Union will welcome vaccinated American tourists

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  • European Union

  • Ursula von der Leyen

  • Coronavirus

  • Tourism