Official Announcement from the EU

Here's the press release:

https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2021/08/30/covid-19-council-removes-5-countries-and-one-entity-territorial-authority-from-the-list-of-countries-for-which-travel-restrictions-should-be-lifted/

The Council updated the list of countries . . . for which travel
restrictions should be lifted. In particular, Israel, Kosovo[1],
Lebanon, Montenegro, the Republic of North Macedonia and the United
States of America were removed from the list.

Non-essential travel to the EU from countries or entities not listed
in Annex I is subject to temporary travel restriction. 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
travellers.

Thank you Carrie, I was just coming back to repost it. I've changed my original post to reflect the press release.

Ok. They recommended. Posted article does not make a distinction between vaccinated or unvaccinated. So, will we hear what individual countries plan to do? Do you think we will get this news shortly? Some of us are due to leave this week.

Each country is probably planning to meet regarding this. I would be surprised if countries in the EU starting banning American tourists outright. There may be individual country restrictions regarding vaccinated vs unvaccinated, more testing required, or anything. No one knows. We just have to wait.

If it was me, I'd plan to travel.

I guess that's all we can do. Plan to travel. I am particularly interested in Germany and Austria if anyone hears. Frank, much appreciated.

Unfortunately you may not find out until the new policies go into effect, not what you want to hear, but that is the reality.

I leave for Italy on Sunday (Sep. 5), they have hinted at a policy, their current policy expires today, but the Official site has not been updated, however an Italian State tourism site seems to have been, and the IATA Travel Centre has been updated. Italy it appears has not changed any requirements for people arriving from the US.

The IATA Travel Centre is a good reference, it is the database used by airlines, including the big three US airlines, to determine if you can travel to a country, and what you need. It has a handy map https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/world.php where you can get info on Covid requirements. Pay attention to dates listed, and read the requirements carefully.

If you look up '[country] travel restriction' as I've been doing when I travel you'll get an idea of what countries look for.

France, for example, has no travel restrictions for those vaccinated, but those unvaccinated may or may not able to enter the country for non-essential purposes.
It's best to check the relevant country's website for the best information.

Hmm, the statement actually does address the vaccinated/unvaccinated issue: it is just written in "Brussels English", which is rather impenetrable.

Non-essential travel to the EU from countries or entities not listed
in Annex I [i.e., the "safe list"] is subject to temporary travel restriction. 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
travellers.

(On the phenomenon of Brussels English, see this from Wired a few years ago)

The notice says:

Non-essential travel to the EU from countries or entities not listed
in Annex I is subject to temporary travel restriction. 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
travellers.

What that basically says it that if countries didn't want to ban vaccinated tourists it wouldn't go against the new restrictions. It doesn't come out and say vaccinated people are okay.

It's sort of like pleading "nolo contendre" in court. You're not saying you're guilty and you're not saying you're not guilty. You accept whatever the fine is as if you were guilty, but you are not exactly admitting guilt.

The same is true when they say "without prejudice." The EU is not saying it's okay to allow vaccinated people in but it won't technically go against their recommendations if you do. It's sort of a way out for EU countries to look as if they are not defying the EU but still letting Americans in.

I hope that makes sense.

The same is true when they say "without prejudice." The EU is not
saying it's okay to allow vaccinated people in but it won't
technically go against their recommendations if you do. It's sort of a
way out for EU countries to look as if they are not defying the EU but
still letting Americans in.

Actually, the official EU recommendation is to encourage vaccinated travellers to be allowed in. You can read that official documentation here. https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/coronavirus/covid-19-travel-into-the-eu/ Scroll down to the sections called "Who should be allowed to travel into the EU" and "Vaccinated persons'".

As with all things, it is of course up to the member states if/how to implement the recommendations. But I thought it important that the actual EU recommendations be pointed out.

We’re flying Delta to Rome. Just received an email from them that states effective September 1 all passengers, regardless of vaccine status, will be required to provide negative antigen or molecular test taken at MOST 72 hours from arrival in Italy. Also must have a completed PLF.

It doesn’t say anything about proof of vaccine, which I find odd.

Azra, that was dated in June of 2021--ancient history when it comes to covid restrictions. It changed today. Had they wanted to say that vaccinated Americans were encouraged or allowed, they would have said it. Instead, they danced around it.

The problem is this. EU rules state how many cases of Covid per 100,000 to be on a list or not. The problem with that is we now know there is a difference between vaccinated and unvaccinated people and the vast majority of new cases are with the unvaccinated. Rather than change the guidelines in terms of number of cases, they skirt the subject such as what they did today. They're not exaclty encouraging the vaccinated from the USA but they are not exactly discouraging. It's beaurocrats in motion.

Sue, Delta was alerting you to a change in the rules. You still need proof of vaccination:

https://www.salute.gov.it/portale/nuovocoronavirus/dettaglioContenutiNuovoCoronavirus.jsp?lingua=english&id=5412&area=nuovoCoronavirus&menu=vuoto&tab=6

Azra, that was dated in June of 2021--ancient history when it comes to
covid restrictions. It changed today. Had they wanted to say that
vaccinated Americans were encouraged or allowed, they would have said
it. Instead, they danced around it.

Frank, the document that I linked to is the last and most updated version of the EU recommendations. As it has not been superseded by a more recent publication, it represents the current stance of the EU. What changed today was simply the list of countries that are "white listed", not the fundamentals of the recommendation (you will note that the webpage is timestamped with this change to the list).

Our personal speculation of what the 'actual' stance of EU commissioners may be or what they may or may not have wanted to say, particularly with respect to Delta variant etc, are just that: personal speculations. This document reflects standing EU consensus, and it puts forth a clear line on differentiating between vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers: which, of course, member states are not bound to follow.

This all might change in the future of course, but it is the current stance. Worth noting, also, that this is very much the position that I read in the German media (and Germany's own rules seem largely in line with these recommendations).

Frank II - right. Hubby and I are both vaccinated, so got that part covered.

I would like to thank you for all of your input on this forum. I always check to see what Frank II has to say about things.

Thank you, Sue.

I don't jump at everything written. I first check the source of the information and then find a second source to confirm what the first source said. And preferably, one of the sources is the original poster of the information. (I.e., government, business, etc rathern than a website.)

Well, we’ve all seen how well the states follow the recommendations on COVID in the US (sarcasm). I’m sure every EU country will do exactly what the EU recommends (sarcasm).