After the European Union Council published its new list of third-countries ranked as epidemiologically safe, recommending to the Member States to permit their residents enter the EU, several Member States have immediately moved on to update their lists of persons eligible to enter.

The Council, which published its new list on July 16, upon an evaluated decided that two countries should be removed from its previous list of June 30, – Montenegro and Serbia, due to increasing rates of Coronavirus infections among their citizens.

The Current list consists of the following countries:

• Algeria
• Australia
• Canada
• Georgia
• Japan
• Morocco
• New Zealand
• Rwanda
• South Korea
• Thailand
• Tunisia
• Uruguay
• China, subject to confirmation of reciprocity

The Council has estimated the epidemiological situation in both these countries, mainly based on the number of new COVID-19 cases over the last 14 days and per 100,000 residents close to or below the EU average, as well as in the stable or decreasing trend of new cases over this period in comparison to the previous two weeks.

While some of the Member States are not complying with the recommendation, others are already applying it, either completely or partially.

The following countries have already announced they are applying the new recommendation:

Germany

As of July 17, the Federal Government of Germany has excluded Montenegro from the list of third-countries the residents of which can enter Germany for non-essential purposes.

As per Serbia, Germany had initially excluded Serbian citizens from entering its territory despite Council’s first recommendation to grant them with entry.

Germany currently allows unrestricted entry for seven countries based on the available data: Australia, Georgia, Canada, New Zealand, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay

“Regardless of the entry options in Germany, a quarantine obligation based on the Infection Protection Act applies in all federal states for incoming and returning travellers from the risk areas specified by the RKI. With the exception of passengers in transit traffic, this also applies in principle to travellers with an important travel reason,” the government notes.

It also points out that an exception to the quarantine applies to the current negative test.

Iceland

After Iceland reopened its borders to those in the EU Council’s list of safe third countries on July 14, the government reversed the decision for Serbia and Montenegro immediately on June 16.

“European Union Member States have updated the list of countries for which travel restrictions at the external border should be gradually lifted. Two countries have been removed from the list: Serbia and Montenegro. The list will be revised every two weeks. The Minister of Justice has issued a new regulation in line with the updated list,” a press release of the Icelandic government reads.

Residents of the following third countries are currently eligible to enter Iceland: Algeria, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, and Uruguay.

Italy

Currently, entry into the national territory of Italy is allowed, for third-country nationals residing in the following states and territories: Algeria, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, Republic of Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay, after the authorities removed Serbia and Montenegro from the list on July 16.

Moreover, until July 31 people who in the 14 previous days, stayed in or transited through Serbia and Montenegro are prohibited from entering the Italian territory.

Luxembourg

Since last Friday, July 17, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg has also decided that citizens with residence in Serbia or Montenegro will no longer be authorized to enter Luxembourg.

Third countries whose residents are still authorized to enter the territory are as follows: Algeria, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay, as well as China (subject to reciprocity at EU level).

Spain

Since July 22, to July 31, 2020 the residents of the countries in the safe list of the EU council will also be able to enter Spain. Spain has modified its list of third-country residents that can enter its territory, including Algeria and Morocco, and excluding Serbia and Montenegro.

Sweden

Sweden has also changed the temporary ban on entry into Sweden, as a result of which residents of Serbia and Montenegro will no longer be exempted from the entry ban.

“As a result of today’s decision, residents of Serbia and Monte­negro are no longer exempted from the entry ban on the basis that they are residents of one of the countries,” the government announced in a notice.

The changes to the entry ban are effective since July 19.

*This article is being continuously updated with the latest and most relevant information.