The E.U. is set to reimpose travel restrictions on U.S. visitors.

[mirdle]

I'm set to cruise Oct 10 from Barcelona. Just found out about the port restrictions in Italy - although not official for October yet, it appears our excursions will probably need to be official NCL ones.  Can someone please tell me if the Norwegian excursions will allow "free time" to leave the group and explore, etc, or are we confined to the group the whole time?

[mking8288]

Latest, as expected, EU has made the recommended guidance for its member countries official - it is not binding, however, leaving up to individual countries on whether to and how - 

"breaking news" flashed on my AP News feed about 30 minutes ago ... 12 noon, EDT

 

No paywall to climb or register to read the full text - 

https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-europe-business-health-travel-9c0f10f0af7e4d7fab63d6d8d4ed844c

 

IMHO, unfortunate and going to leave many fellow CC'ers booked and set on sailing soon annoyed and not happy.  On a side note, having our own State's digital Excelsior Pass is now handy as we've been asked to show that for indoor dining ... and, even for medical appointments, coupled with IR temperature scan last week (our primary doctors has already updated our full vaccination records earlier, the annual flu shot is next and to be followed by the recommended booster shot in the Fall)

 

I wish those going on a cruise soon well and healthy, enjoy and make the best of it all.  By choice, we will take in Fall foliage over land by driving ourselves in a few weeks, looking ahead to Spring 2022 instead (I'm afraid but hope to be proven wrong.) 

[ShipFan13]

The restrictions “can vary from state to state, but it is widely expected that fully vaccinated Americans would still maintain unfettered access” to the European Union, said an E.U. diplomat who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/08/30/eu-travel-restrictions/

[goodmanl1975]

Unvaccinated U.S. Visitors Could Face New Restrictions on Travel to Europe - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

[Gen X Life]

4 hours ago, mirdle said:

I'm set to cruise Oct 10 from Barcelona. Just found out about the port restrictions in Italy - although not official for October yet, it appears our excursions will probably need to be official NCL ones.  Can someone please tell me if the Norwegian excursions will allow "free time" to leave the group and explore, etc, or are we confined to the group the whole time?

NO..,, That is the point of the NCL Bubble Excursions...I was told NO LEAVING THE GROUP...  

 

But things can change by October... You should really read the regulations on NCL WebSite as to October Dates... And Regulations

 

We cancelled our Cruises.... So NOT A VACATION!

[ShipFan13]

Here everyone can keep up to date as things change in each country visiting these websites.

 

https://es.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

 

Spain

Entry and Exit Requirements:  SPAIN

Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? Yes

• Effective June 24, 2021, U.S. citizens can travel from the United States to Spain if they present a QR code generated through the Spain Travel Health portal, obtained through the website or by downloading the SpTH app in Google Play or App Store for each traveler
• U.S. citizens who are travelling to Spain from a country that is not the United States should make sure they follow the guidance published by Spanish authorities on their local Spain Embassy website.
• Please be aware that travel immediately following this change may involve extensive wait times upon arrival as implementation is rolled out. Requirements below.
• Click here for information for travel within the European Schengen zone.

https://it.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

 

Italy

Entry and Exit Requirements:

• Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? Yes
  • U.S. citizens may travel to Italy for any reason, including tourism.
  • Current travel restrictions on entry into Italy are linked to several factors, including one’s country of departure and purpose of travel.
  • The Government of Italy periodically updates these restrictions based upon changing conditions, and all travelers should refer to current Italian health decrees when making travel plans.
  • English-language guidance on current entry and exit requirements is maintained on the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website.
  • All persons traveling to Italy from any foreign location are required to provide their airline or Italian law enforcement officials with a self-declaration form prior to travel.
  • Regional governments in Italy may also impose restrictions on travelers from certain foreign countries, and travelers intending to travel or return to Italy are advised to check whether any new provisions have been introduced by their region of destination.
  • Beginning on June 21 and valid until August 30, 2021, travelers from the United States may enter Italy without the need to self-isolate/quarantine upon arrival if they present a Covid document compliant with Italian and EU regulations, commonly called the “Green Pass”, certifying one of the following conditions:
    • • An Anti-COVID 19 vaccination certificate for an European Medicines Agency (EMA)-recognized vaccine.  At present, EMA recognizes the following vaccines: Pfizer-BioNtech, Moderna, Johnson and Johnson, and AstraZeneca.  The date of the final vaccine dose must be at least 14 days prior to travel.  Travelers vaccinated in the United States can prove this via the “white card” bearing the CDC logo.
      • A medical certificate confirming recovery from COVID dated no more than six months before departure.
      • A negative molecular PCR or rapid antigen test result carried out within 48 hours of departure.
  • Passengers are required to complete the online EU Digital Passport Locator Form.

https://uk.usembassy.gov/covid-19-coronavirus-information/

 

England

Entry and Exit Requirements

• Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? Yes, if not traveling from a ‘red-list’ country.  Please see the UK government website for more information. 
• Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? Yes
• Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry? Yes

Please see UK Visa and Immigration’s website for information on visa extensions for residents and tourists.

You will not be able to travel to the United Kingdom from a country on the travel ban list unless you have residence rights in the UK. The United States is not currently on the travel ban list.

New arrivals will be required to provide UK officials with contact and travel information prior to arrival by completing the Public Health Locator Form. This form must be completed by each member of your traveling party. You may not submit the form until 48 hours before your arrival in the UK.

 

Other countries

France

Netherlands

Belgium

 

[victory2020]

I was planning on getting a test before flying anyway. I saw somewhere that they changed testing to 48 hrs before? Can anyone confirm? I'm wondering if I can get the PCR results in time.

[KLC1993]

PCR test is not necessary from the US if you are vaccinated.  Here is current guidance.

Microsoft Word - NORMATIVA COVID 30 AGOSTO ENG (471)_aggiornato 30 Agosto.docx (esteri.it)

 

 

[zdcatc12]

38 minutes ago, KLC1993 said:

PCR test is not necessary from the US if you are vaccinated.  Here is current guidance.

Microsoft Word - NORMATIVA COVID 30 AGOSTO ENG (471)_aggiornato 30 Agosto.docx (esteri.it)

 

 

Thanks for this. So these are the new restrictions and the test needs to be 48 hours early, not 72?

[zdcatc12]

I just saw this link on another website: https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/world.php. When you click on Italy, it shows that the restrictions will basically be the same as today, and now go until 25 October, 2021.  

 

 Hope this is correct, if so, it is good news.

[goodmanl1975]

Final regulations for Italy for US citizens - this will eliminate any further questions on what is required.

COVID-19 Information | U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Italy (usembassy.gov)

• Beginning on August 31 and valid until October 25, 2021, travelers from the United States may enter Italy if they present a negative molecular PCR or rapid antigen test result carried out within 72 hours of arrival AND one of the following:
  • • An Anti-COVID 19 vaccination certificate for an European Medicines Agency (EMA)-recognized vaccine.  At present, EMA recognizes the following vaccines: Pfizer-BioNtech, Moderna, Johnson and Johnson, and AstraZeneca.  The date of the final vaccine dose must be at least 14 days prior to travel.  Travelers vaccinated in the United States can prove this via the “white card” bearing the CDC logo.
    • A medical certificate confirming recovery from COVID dated no more than six months before departure.
• Passengers unable to present a valid vaccination or recovery certificate will have to self-isolate on arrival for five days and undergo a molecular PCR or rapid antigen test at the end of the isolation
• Passengers are required to complete the online EU Digital Passport Locator Form.
• The approved languages for the above certificates are Italian, English, Spanish, and French.  Certificates can be in digital or paper format.  For additional information on travel to and from Italy, please see: https://www.esteri.it/mae/it.

 

• Effective August 6, 2021, the “Digital Green Certificate/Green Pass” is necessary to access some locations and participate in certain social activities such as: indoor seated dining at restaurants and bars, museums, exhibitions, cultural sites, sporting events, swimming pools, gyms, concerts, fairs, conferences, amusement parks and other venues. The Italian Ministry of Health issued an ordinance on July 29, 2021 stating that an Anti-COVID-19 vaccination certificate for an European Medicines Agency (EMA) recognized vaccine from competent U.S. health authorities (CDC “white cards”) will be considered the equivalent of the Italian Green Pass where this requirement exists. Alternatively, you can provide a negative molecular PCR or rapid antigen test result taken within 48 hours before entering a restaurant/museum etc. or a medical certificate issued by competent US authorities confirming recovery from COVID within the previous 6 months. Certificates are accepted in Italian, English, Spanish or French and can be both digital or in paper copy.
• The Italian government extended the Covid-19 state of emergency until December 31, 2021