Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
THE EUROPEAN UNION has recommended that its member states reimpose travel restrictions on US tourists over rising covid 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 travellers to visit despite concerns about rising numbers of Covid 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 travellers,” the statement said.
Non-essential travel into the bloc from outside the EU and eight associated countries – Iceland, Lichtenstein, 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 programme.
Case numbers in the country have since surged as the more infectious delta variant has spread and large swathes of the population have refused to get vaccinated.
The American airline industry slammed the latest move from Brussels and insisted it would keep on talking to member states to “prioritise the safety and wellbeing of all travelers”.
“The European Union’s recommendations are a step backwards, and clearly disappointing to the US airline industry which has worked diligently to safely resume transatlantic service,” lobby group Airlines for America said.
“As the EU has reopened, Americans have been eager to buy tickets, pack their bags and reunite with loved ones who they have not seen in nearly two years.”
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Will this affect the cannabis laws? Going there in December…
they changed the law during the summer only dutch citizens can legally buy hash in the cafe’s no more tourists
Oh yea, I’d say its for the weed yer goin. Oh yea.
That law is not currently being widely enforced, unfortunately.
Max – tourists who are visiting Amsterdam in December will still be able to smoke pot in the coffeeshops. The ban is in place in southern cities such as Maastricht and the plan is for it to be introduced nationwide in January. Whether this govt plans any change to the proposed legislation is unclear, but will become clear in the next day or so.
Thank you Neil!
It’s actually doesn’t come into effect until November after cannabis cup, a major tourist attraction.
I’m only back yesterday from amsterdam its jan 1st the weed pass comes in
When it comes in, it means Dutch *residents* can buy it, not just Dutch citizens. If you’re Irish and you live there, happy days for you. If you’re Dutch and you live in Belgium, tough.
Ur welcome Max. Who knows I might c u there
now’s the chance to legalise and smoke our way out of the recession,cafes with PlayStations,lots of burger bites and sweets,400000 jobs in tourism and service industry,enda Kenny statue on o Connell street,money to burn,criminals moving into legitimate business!!!it’s win win
I bet the new Dutch government will achieve their goals too, not like our crowd of amateurs.
They will if their citizenship continue to pay their water rates and property tax.
Banning the weed tourism, raising the drinking age , next theyll be banning prostitution and turning the netherlands into a tourist wasteland
Interesting reading comments here .the vast majority ignored the main thrust of the report which was based on their economic platform ,we are mor interested in how it will effect Drugs and Booze and we wonder why we elect duff governments.
Never thought I would hear a liberal party looking at raising the age at which you are allowed to consume alcohol.
Brian – Rutte’s party are liberal in name only. They are definitively right of centre and austerity is the agenda that defines them. Much like Cameron’s Tory party in UK.
Gavin apologies.
the sales on the streets will be booming again. they just announced you will need an identification and proof of residence. so club membership for dutch citizens only has been scrapped.
http://www.dutchnews.nl has an interesting summary of what this means. Reading between the lines it looks like local/city councils will have discretion as to how the law is enforced but the ‘Weedpass’ is dead.
have your say