27/07/2021 (Agence Europe) – The United States still refuses to welcome European tourists on its soil, even if they have been fully vaccinated, said the US government on Monday 26 July. In June, the US government set up a working group with third countries, including EU Member States, to work on easing the restrictions. “We are maintaining existing travel restrictions at this time”, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki was quoted by AFP as saying, justifying the decision in particular by the rapid spread of the Delta variant both “here and abroad”. The EU decided in June to reopen its doors to American tourists who are fully vaccinated or can show a valid negative test (see EUROPE 12742/4). But the lack of reciprocity is slowing down work on the recognition of US ‘passes’ and travel documents proving vaccination or infection status, and the US does not have a harmonised system of Covid certificates. (SP)