EU borders reopening as Greece and Belgium prepare to welcome tourists

European Commission launches website to navigate a patchwork of reopenings across Schengen area

The European Union began reopening its internal borders on Monday as member countries like Greece and Belgium prepared to welcome tourists after months of coronavirus lockdowns.

While the travel restrictions put in place in response to the Covid-19 pandemic began to officially expire on 15 June, Schengen area member and associated countries are removing border controls in a patchwork manner. Italy reopened its borders for travellers from within Europe on 3 June. Spain has already allowed tourists in from some countries including Germany and will reopen to most European countries on 21 June.

Germany was to end land border checks on 15 June, while the Dutch announced they would ease warnings against non-essential foreign travel. The Czech Republic is allowing travel from within Europe but placing restrictions on countries with high levels of infections.

Read more

Austria, which has already opened most of its borders, will lift restrictions with 31 countries excluding Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Poland reopened its borders to EU members and the UK from 13 June, while Sweden never closed.

Non-essential travel into the European Union remains restricted until 30 June, although countries like Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Slovakia and Slovenia have begun lifting restrictions for foreigners from nations they deem safe.

President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said she was happy borders were reopening across Europe.

The European Commission launched the “Re-Open EU“ website giving travel information, coronavirus rules, and advice on whether places like hotels or beaches were open.

Greece’s tourist season began with the reopening of some hotels and international flights from Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, China, Israel and Lebanon to Athens and Thessaloniki airports.

Some of the worst-affected countries, like the United Kingdom, France, Italy and Spain are not currently on Greece’s approved list for travel. Travellers from countries that do meet Greece’s “epidemiological criteria” are tested on arrival and quarantined in a designated hotel for 7 days if the test is negative, and 14 days if it is positive.

In Belgium, shops and museums were allowed to reopen from 18 May while cafes, restaurants and attractions began opening on 8 June. Restrictions for hospitality and culture industries would remain in place to 1 July while major events will stay shut down until after August.

France, meanwhile, has said it wants reciprocity and could place restrictions on countries placing restrictions on French travellers.