After weeks of speculation, Europe appears ready to welcome American visitors this summer, with details to be filled in later, according to a New York Times interview with European Commission President Ursula van Leyen.
In the interview, van Leyen is quoted saying ““All 27 member states will accept, unconditionally, all those who are vaccinated with vaccines that are approved by E.M.A.” E.M.A. is the European Medicines Agency, and all three vaccines in use in the U.S.—Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson&Johnson—have been approved and are in use in Europe.
Still to be worked out, and apparently in serious discussion between Europe and U.S. officials is how travelers will prove that they have been vaccinated. Europe intends, by June, to have a digital vaccine and testing tool, a so-called vaccine passport, in use by its residents, but there is strong resistance in the U.S. to issuing such a pass. A way will have to be found for Europe to be able to validate U.S. vaccinations. Some states may follow New York’s lead in issuing an app of its own.
The remaining serious question for Americans traveling to Europe: While Europe is clearly impressed with U.S. success in mass vaccination, many European countries are still experiencing high infection rates, slower vaccination programs and severe restrictions on movement including curfews and in many places museums, restaurants and other attractions remain closed. While that situation will undoubtedly change, the question is when.
Image: PHeymont/TravelGumbo
