On Wednesday 21 October, the ambassadors of the Member States to the EU approved the proposal of the German EU Council Presidency to remove three countries - Canada, Georgia and Tunisia - from the list of non-Member States whose residents may come to the EU for leisure travel, an EU diplomat said. These restrictions are motivated by the Covid-19 pandemic risk that these persons may present on EU territory.
They also agreed to add Singapore to this list, which now contains nine countries. A written procedure was launched on the same day to finalise the adoption of this decision.
The epidemiological situation in the three withdrawn countries is worse than in the EU, the criterion being the average number of cases detected per 100,000 inhabitants over the last two weeks, as laid down in the recommendation of 30 June establishing these travel restrictions (see EUROPE 12517/8).
With regard to Singapore, the epidemiological situation is better than in the EU. Travel is therefore allowed within the EU for its residents. On the other hand, this country reimposed restrictions on entry to its territory from EU countries just a few weeks ago.
The common European list therefore currently includes the following countries: Thailand, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Rwanda, South Korea, Uruguay and China (subject to reciprocity). (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)