EU member-states' ambassadors on Wednesday agreed to put the USA, Albania, North Macedonia, Serbia and Taiwan on a list of countries from where travel to the EU is possible owing to a favourable epidemiological situation.

This recommendation is not binding on the member-states and they can decide on their own whether or not a negative test for coronavirus or quarantine will be required for travellers arriving from those countries.

So far, eight countries – Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand, have been on the EU's list of safe countries.

In March 2020 the EU introduced restrictions for all non-essential travel from third countries while entry for people travelling to Europe for essential reasons was allowed.

Last month EU member-countries relaxed criteria for tourists from third countries, deciding to allow entry for all fully vaccinated travellers. They should now be able to travel to the EU also without the obligation to get vaccinated.