If you do not follow the rules, a vacation during a pandemic could end up in a police station.
The European Union began opening its external borders to tourists from third countries on July 1. Amid recent anti-records in the number of new confirmed cases of COVID-19, Ukraine was not included in the list of 15 countries for which restrictions are recommended to be lifted. However, Ukrainians can still go on vacation abroad. Deutsche Welle explains which countries are already admitting residents of Ukraine and under what conditions.
For whom are EU borders open?
The list includes: Algeria, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Morocco, Montenegro, New Zealand, Rwanda, Serbia, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay, and China. This list, which EU states approved after nearly three weeks of intense debate, is only a recommendation. Border control is the authority of national states, not the European Union.
However, all governments have strong motivation to follow the recommendation: Brussels warns that uncoordinated opening of external borders carries a high risk of reintroducing border controls within the Schengen Area.
The list of countries from which travel to the EU will be unrestricted will be reviewed every two weeks. To be included, Ukraine must have a number of new COVID-19 cases over the last two weeks that does not exceed or is close to the EU average. According to data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Ukraine's rate was 30 cases. In almost all EU countries, it was below 20 cases.
It should be noted that this is not the only criterion. Only countries whose COVID-19 statistics are trusted will be added to the list. The number of tests and other measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus are also important indicators.
Travel from Ukraine only possible for essential reasons
The EU borders are not completely closed to Ukrainians. Ukrainian citizens who have a residence permit in the EU have the right to cross the border. For all others, only so-called "non-essential" travel is banned.
Essential travel includes the following categories: medical workers and specialists caring for the elderly, seasonal workers, transport staff, diplomats, persons traveling for urgent family reasons, seafarers, and transit passengers. Now added to these are students traveling for study, as well as highly skilled workers who cannot perform their work remotely and if the work cannot be postponed.
It should be noted that each EU state decides for itself whom to admit from these categories. Germany, for example, will only admit students who "cannot fully carry out their studies from abroad." Poland, on the other hand, admits more categories of Ukrainians. Therefore, before planning a trip, it is worth checking the conditions in the specific country.
Germany
The German government decided to open the country's borders from July 2 for residents of only 11 countries from the list approved by the EU Council. Residents of Serbia, Morocco, Rwanda, and Algeria will not be able to travel to Germany.
The German Interior Ministry notes that people arriving from "high-risk regions" generally must undergo a two-week self-isolation. As of July 1, the Robert Koch Institute classifies Ukraine as such a region. However, the final requirement for self-isolation is regulated independently by each German federal state.
Hungary
Ukrainian citizens can enter the border areas of Hungary located within 30 kilometers of the border between the two states. They can stay there for no more than 24 hours.
Croatia
Ukraine's Infrastructure Minister Vladyslav Kryklii announced on July 1 that five tourist countries have already opened their borders for Ukraine: Croatia, Albania, Montenegro, Turkey, and Egypt.
In general, the EU Council's recommendation was addressed to 30 countries of the so-called "EU+ zone." This includes 26 EU countries (except Ireland) and four Schengen-associated countries: Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. However, Denmark exercised its special right to opt out of this recommendation.
Croatia took advantage of the fact that it, like Bulgaria, Romania, and Cyprus, has not yet joined the Schengen Area. Therefore, controls are in place at its border with Schengen. But only Croatia among EU countries decided to let in tourists from Ukraine and other countries.
Entry to the country is allowed for business or tourism purposes. To enter, vacationers must provide confirmation of hotel or other accommodation booking. Before traveling, one should fill out an electronic form and print the certificate received after submission.
Western Balkans
Ukrainian citizens have been able to enter Montenegro since June 22. The condition is a negative COVID-19 test. The Ukrainian embassy in Montenegro clarified that this must be either a PCR test or an ELISA antibody test. Rapid tests are not accepted. The test must be taken within 72 hours before crossing the Montenegrin border at a laboratory accredited with ISO 15189 or ISO/IEC 17025. The embassy advises flying to the country.
For a tourist trip to Albania, no test for COVID-19 is required. There is also no self-isolation requirement.
Serbia and North Macedonia also admit Ukrainians.
Turkey
This country admits Ukrainian tourists only if they have an insurance policy covering COVID-19. It is recommended to purchase it in advance, but Ukraine's Ambassador to Turkey Andrii Sybiha said that insurance can also be bought at the airport.
Upon arrival at the airport, passengers' temperatures are measured. If it is elevated or there are other symptoms of coronavirus disease, a free test is conducted.
Egypt
For foreign tourists, another popular tourist destination has been available since July 1. There are no restrictions for Ukrainians when entering. Upon return, however, they will have to undergo a two-week self-isolation because Egypt has a high level of COVID-19 patients.
Other countries of the world
The possibility of traveling to other countries can be checked on the portal tripadvisor.mfa.gov.ua of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. For example, entry to the USA for Ukrainians is possible if they have not visited the Schengen area, the United Kingdom, Ireland, China, Iran, and Brazil in the last 14 days. Cambodia also welcomes tourists from Ukraine, but only with an insurance policy covering expenses of 50 thousand dollars, and after paying a deposit of 3000 dollars.
However, it is currently impossible to reach most countries from Ukraine. Both Kyiv airports operate flights to Turkey, Egypt, Albania, and Belarus, among others. Upon arrival in the latter, you will have to undergo self-isolation.