(VOVWORLD) - The European Commission on Thursday proposed reopening all EU internal borders on Monday, and beginning to lift tourism restrictions on Balkan countries from July 1.
 Switzerland - France border is closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, April 9, 2020 (Photo: AFP/VNA) |
Many countries have begun lifting COVID-19 travel restrictions, hoping to revive tourism in time for summer. The EC called for a " coordinated approach" in which travel bans are lifted for countries with similar levels of infection as some disease controls remain in place.
The EC will lift restrictions on recovered countries on July 1. These include Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia.
Ylva Johansson, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, said it’s time to start lifting restrictions while still being careful. International travel is key to tourism and business, and for reconnecting family and friends, she added.