France imposes a ban on unvaccinated American travelers

France has become the latest European nation, and a major travel hub, to remove the United States from its safe travel list, in line with EU advice after a surge in Covid cases in the US.

A French government decree released on Thursday moved both the United States and Israel from the 'green' list to the 'orange' category, effectively restricting nonessential travel to France for unvaccinated visitors.

According to France’s regulations, unvaccinated travelers from these countries can still enter if they have a valid essential reason for travel, though they must present a negative Covid-19 test and undergo a seven-day quarantine upon arrival.

France’s decision follows similar measures taken by other European nations against US travelers. Earlier this week, Spain updated its entry requirements, mandating proof of full vaccination for US arrivals.

Economies struggling from the impact of Covid

Denmark and the Netherlands have recently tightened their entry rules, requiring US travelers to provide proof of vaccination. Sweden, on the other hand, has imposed a blanket ban on all US arrivals, regardless of vaccination status.

Last week, Italy introduced new entry requirements, mandating all visitors, including Americans, to present a negative PCR or antigen Covid test taken within 72 hours of departure, irrespective of vaccination status.

These new regulations stem from a nonbinding recommendation issued by the European Union earlier this month, advising its member states to restrict US arrivals due to the rising Covid-19 cases in the United States during July and August.

Earlier in the summer, many European destinations reopened to American tourists in an attempt to revive tourism and bolster Covid-hit economies with much-needed revenue.

As the Delta variant of Covid spreads across the US, some nations, like Germany, had already started restricting American travelers even before the EU’s official recommendation. Meanwhile, countries like Greece have stated that they will remain open, regardless of travelers' vaccination status.