Australia classified as ‘COVID-danger zone’ by Europe – travel bans may apply

Due to the vast spread of the Omicron variant the European Council advised member states to block visitors from Australia, classifying the country a “COVID danger zone”. This comes as close to 500,000 active cases of COVID-19 have been recorded in Australia.

The directive applies to travellers regardless of their vaccination status deeming non-essential travel to Europe from Australia either impossible or subject to strict quarantine and testing requirements.

Cyprus, Greece and Italy have not accepted the European Council’s decision to ban Australian travellers.

Canada and Argentina have also been listed as COVID-19 hotspots while countries like New Zealand, Colombia, Indonesia, Rwanda, Bahrain, Chile, Kuwait, Peru, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay and China will have the directives for entry to Australia reviewed fortnightly.

“New testing and self-isolation requirements may apply, depending on which EU member state you’re travelling to, regardless of whether you’re considered fully vaccinated or not,” the EU Council statement said.

The United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has also issued a warning to avoid travel to Australia, listing the country as “Level 4: Very High Level of COVID-19”.

Meanwhile, DFAT’s Smartraveller website advising that “new testing and self-isolation requirements may apply depending on which EU member state you’re travelling to, regardless of whether you’re considered fully vaccinated”.

neoskosmos.com