Following a review under the recommendation on the gradual lifting of the temporary restrictions on non-essential travel into the EU, the Council has updated the list of countries for which travel restrictions should be lifted to add Japan, Report informs referring to the EU Council website.
Based on the criteria and conditions set out in the recommendation, as from June 3, 2021, member states should gradually lift the travel restrictions at the external borders for residents of the following third countries: Australia, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and China, subject to confirmation of reciprocity.
Travel restrictions should also be gradually lifted for the special administrative regions of China Hong Kong and Macao, subject to confirmation of reciprocity.
Residents of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican should be considered as EU residents for the purpose of this recommendation.
The criteria to determine the third countries for which the current travel restriction should be lifted were updated on 20 May 2021. They cover the epidemiological situation and overall response to COVID-19, as well as the reliability of the available information and data sources. Reciprocity should also be taken into account on a case-by-case basis.
Schengen-associated countries (Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, Switzerland) also take part in this recommendation.