Europe Confirms Borders Closed to Brazilians as Covid-19 Continues Spread

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The European Union (EU) officially confirmed on Tuesday, July 30th, that the bans on the entry of Brazilians will remain in place despite the relaxation of border restrictions as of Wednesday, July 1st.

An official communiqué released on the European Union Council website reports that tourists from 14 countries will be able to enter the bloc. The Covid-19 situation is under control in all such countries.

These are Algeria, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand; Rwanda, Serbia, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay and China, the latter depending on reciprocity.

In addition to Brazilians, Americans, Russians, Mexicans, and Indians, whose countries are still experiencing growing rates of the disease, will also be barred from the EU.

These countries fail to meet the criteria determined by Europeans that the number of cases per 100,000 inhabitants should be lower than the European average on June 15th; that the rate of contagion should be stable or decreasing; and that international criteria for testing, monitoring, containment and screening of new cases should be respected.

“The criteria for determining the third countries for which the current travel restriction should be lifted cover, in particular, the epidemiological situation and containment measures, including physical distance, as well as economic and social considerations,” the communiqué reports.

Source: Exame