For days now, media have been speculating which countries will and will not be allowed to enter the European Union starting from July 1.
Euronews has obtained, from EU diplomatic sources, the full draft list of the countries for which Europe's borders will open to, and can confirm what was reported on Wednesday- that Brazil, the US and Russia are indeed not on the approved list.
The most recent draft list was agreed by EU states on Friday.
The full list of countries whose nationals will be allowed to enter Europe according to the draft list is as follows:
- Algeria
- Australia
- Canada
- Georgia
- Japan
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- New Zealand
- Rwanda
- Serbia
- South Korea
- Thailand
- Tunisia
- Uruguay
China has been allowed to enter the EU, but pending reciprocity, meaning when China will allow EU countries to enter their country.
Diplomatic sources also told Euronews last week, that there was a disagreement between nations on the criteria used for this decision, with some maintaining that data on COVID rates is not reliable.
The list will be reviewed twice a month, meaning that it could be sooner rather than later before forbidden countries like the USA, Russia and Brazil can enter the EU.
The criteria is based on epidemiological data.
According to the European Commission, UK nationals are still to be treated in the same way as EU citizens until the end of the Brexit transition period (31.12.2020).
Meanwhile in Greece, casinos, concerts, conferences, indoor cinemas, nightclubs and trade fairs will begin operating from this week, while children summer camp's will also be permitted.
This comes as 36 illegal immigrants – 15 men, 10 women and 11 children of Iranian and Afghan descent – were rescued on Saturday night by the Greek Coast Guard on the northern coast of Lesvos, after entering Greece illegally, as reported by Greek City Times.
The 36 illegal immigrants were immediately quarantined in a migrant camp at Megala Therma, where it was found that three were positive for coronavirus but were asymptomatic.
