Although most EU countries began loosening coronavirus travel and entry restrictions in June-July, come August and several are tightening them back up again, even among themselves.
As lockdown measures began easing and travel gradually resumed, many countries saw an increase in COVID-19 infections, leading to the reintroduction of border control among the EU States and increased levels of security.
Some of the countries that have tightened travel measures against the COVID-19 are:
Italy
Starting from August 12, anyone who has travelled or transited through Croatia, Greece, Malta, or Spain will have to show a negative PRC test taken in the last 72 hours or undertake a test upon arrival and quarantine to wait for results.
Greece
Until at least August 31, 2020 all travellers from Malta, Romania, Bulgaria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Spain or Sweden must have a negative PCR test, taken no longer than 72 hours before arrival.
Norway
Starting from this week, all countries marked as Green (low risk) on Norway’s travel advisory have been changed to Yellow (moderate risk). Quarantine is not required for travellers from Yellow countries.
However, anyone travelling from Red-marked countries (Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Netherlands, Iceland, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Czech Republic), as well as anyone from outside the EU, is subject to a 10-day quarantine period.
France
France has a list of high-risk countries, travellers from which require testing before being allowed entry. Included on the list are the US, United Arab Emirates, Bahrein, Panama, South Africa, Kuwait, Qatar, Israel, Brazil, Peru, Serbia, Algeria, Turkey, Madagascar, India and Oman.
Germany
Germany has a very large list of high-risk countries, which is continually updated. Recently, the German government added several parts of Romania, along with Spain and Bulgaria to it.
Anyone on the list must have a negative PRC test from the previous 48 hours before being allowed to enter Germany. Those who do not have a test, will be required to take a test on arrival.
Finland
Finland has reintroduced border checks with several Schengen/EU countries after a worsening epidemiological situation.
The countries with which it introduced border control checks are Austria, Slovenia and Switzerland, Andorra, Belgium and the Netherlands.
Switzerland
Switzerland has a list of 46 countries whose travellers are required to quarantine upon arrival. Included on the list are Romania and Spain (except the Balearic and Canary Islands).
In July, the European Commission agreed on a list of “safe” countries, wherein travellers from those areas could enter the Schengen Zone for non-essential purposes. That list is continually updated based on the epidemiological situation.