Fancy a pint of Guinness on a rainy and cloudy Galway day? Or perhaps a moment to dip your toes in the Mediterranean in the coming weeks? Well, you are in luck as there are new reports that say two European countries – Ireland and Croatia – are staying open for American travelers, despite growing concerns over COVID-19 cases, due to the new Delta variant. Keep reading for everything you need to know.
These Two European Countries Are Staying Open For U.S. Travelers
While the European Union has recently recommended new restrictions on American travelers, there’s been a mixed reaction among the EU member states. Whereas Italy was one of the first countries to implement the new rules, both Ireland and Croatia said that it will not add any additional restrictions to travelers coming from the United States.
The Irish government has clarified that it will not reinstate travel restrictions on travelers from the United States. According to Ireland’s government, the EU recommendation “is non-binding and Member States retain control over their own border restrictions.”
The Coach, Tourism and Transport Council of Ireland (CTTC) has pointed out that the U.S. is a key market for tourism operators, while decisions to ban US-Ireland travel would have a detrimental impact on the tourism industry.
Croatia, meanwhile, is refusing to impose the EU restrictions as well, as the country continues to permit unrestricted entry for all U.S. travelers. The Croatian Minister, Davor Božinović, said during a meeting with interior ministers in Brussels: “This is a recommendation. There have been situations before when Croatia did not follow the EU recommendations, so when it comes to American citizens, it will not this time either. We know that Americans mostly come to us as tourists, which means that they have met all the epidemiological conditions for coming.”
Božinović also added that the Croatian health authorities estimate that US nationals and Israelis do not present an epidemiological risk to the country.
In the meantime, tell us, where are your travels taking you this season? Drop us a line with your thoughts in our comments section below. How concerned are you about all of the new travel rules and regulations this year? Also, come back here for all of the latest news, details, and updates you need to know before your next adventure!
