The European Council has recently reviewed the list of countries to lift travel restrictions from, and updated it. The Council has also recommended that the list should be reviewed on a regular basis.
As per the present list, member states have been recommended to lift travel restrictions at external borders to the following countries Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, Thailand, South Korea and Singapore.
China is subject to confirmation as of now.
It is expected that travel restrictions will soon be lifted for Macau and Hong Kong. The Council has recommended member states to resume connectivity to the administrative areas of Macau and Hong Kong.
The criteria for lifting travel restrictions from third countries includes economic and social considerations, current containment measures, reciprocity and epidemiological situation. While in the initial months of 2020, non-essential travel was largely not permitted, by June 30, the European Council heads had decided to adopt a recommendation, gradually lifting such restrictions.
As per the list released in October, Uruguay has been left out. The USA, India, Russia and Brazil remain on the outside, along with African Portuguese Speaking Countries (PALOP) and East Timor. There is an exemption from these restrictions, for those travelling from third countries to EU, or those who qualify as European citizens or their family members, long term residents, and travellers with special needs.
