In yet another blow for Canadians wishing to travel, and for the Canadian travel industry, Canada has been removed from the European Union’s Safe Travel list.
The EU regularly updates its list of countries that are safe for travel into Europe. Their latest update, which took place on Monday, Feb. 17, removed Canada from that list, as well as Argentina and Australia.
“Following a review under the recommendation on the gradual lifting of the temporary restrictions on non-essential travel into the EU, the Council updated the list of countries, special administrative regions and other entities and territorial authorities for which travel restrictions should be lifted. In particular Argentina, Australia and Canada were removed from the list,” the EU said.
The Safe Travel List is a list of countries which the Council recommends member countries should allow inbound travel from for non-essential reasons. It’s up to each country within the EU to decide whether to follow the guidelines, which are non-binding.
Still, it’s not going to help tour companies sell packages to Europe, or airlines to sell flights.
Forbes reports that “many (EU) countries have changed travel restrictions, vaccine and quarantine requirements throughout the pandemic and most are allowing vaccinated travelers to travel freely, although this is gradually including the idea of a booster jab being essential as being counted as fully vaccinated.
“The EU has voted to make Covid Certificates valid for only 9 months, meaning that a booster shot will become a requirement to travel freely across Europe in 2022.” Forbes stated.
As of January 17, these are the only countries on the EU safe travel list:
Bahrain
Chile
Colombia
Indonesia
Kuwait
New Zealand
Peru
Qatar
Rwanda
Saudi Arabia
South Korea
United Arab Emirates
Uruguay
China, subject to confirmation of reciprocity, which also includes the special administrative regions of China Hong Kong and Macao.
