June 30, 2020
American business aviation operators should note that flights from the U.S. are not yet permitted in a planned loosening of travel restrictions to the European Union (EU).
The Council of the EU recently recommended member states begin lifting certain travel restrictions for EU citizens and long-term residents for non-essential travel from third countries to Europe, beginning July 1, 2020. The recommendations apply to 15 countries with one (China) subject to confirmation of reciprocity. The U.S. is not on the list.
The countries included in the recommendation should meet certain criteria regarding COVID-19 containment and management, including:
- Close to or below the EU average, as it stands on June 15, of new COVID-19 cases over the last 14 days and per 100,000 inhabitants;
- The trend of new cases over the same period in comparison to the previous 14 days is stable or decreasing; and
- The overall response to COVID-19 taking into account available information on aspects such as testing, surveillance, contact tracing, containment, treatment and reporting as well as the reliability of available information and data sources and, if needed, the total average score across all dimensions for international health regulations.
“The EU is taking a risk-based approach to reopening for non-essential travel as the whole world works to contain the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Doug Carr, NBAA’s vice president of regulatory and international affairs. “The council will review the list of countries every two weeks, so travelers should expect regular changes, and should review any applicable travel restrictions prior to flight.”
Travelers considered to be essential, including pilots and other crewmembers, healthcare workers, passengers connecting through the EU and humanitarian workers are exempted from temporary travel restrictions.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.