EU removes US from Covid safe list for non-essential travel

The European Union on Monday recommended that its member states reimpose travel restrictions on United States tourists over rising COVID-19 infections in the country.

The European Council, which represents the bloc's 27 governments, said it was taking six territories off its list of locations exempted from restrictions on non-essential travel during the coronavirus pandemic.

"Israel, Kosovo, Lebanon, Montenegro, the Republic of North Macedonia and the United States of America were removed from the list," a statement said.

The move is not binding on national capitals, which may yet choose to allow fully vaccinated US travelers to visit despite concerns about rising numbers of COVID-19 cases in the country.

But most EU members have followed Brussels' travel advice during the crisis so far. "This is without prejudice to the possibility for member states to lift the temporary restriction on non-essential travel to the EU for fully vaccinated travelers," the statement said.

Non-essential travel into the bloc from outside the EU and eight associated countries – Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican – has been restricted.

Some countries and territories, however, have been exempted from this list, but their number has been shrinking in recent months and now includes only 17 members, plus China if Beijing reciprocates.

The EU recommended its member states lift restrictions on non-essential travel from the US in June ahead of the peak of the summer tourist season. That decision came as the US was making major strides with its vaccination program.

Case numbers have since surged as the more infectious Delta variant has spread.

The US has been closed to most international travelers since the start of the pandemic, notably to Europeans, even after the EU reopened.

However, on Monday the White House said it was considering rethinking its rules. "We continue to work across federal agencies to develop a consistent and safe international travel policy. This includes travel in Europe," White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said.