After 18 months of COVID restrictions, I’m seeing red — everywhere. And I’m more confused than ever. Where can I travel? What are the rules? What kind of vaccination documents do I need? Rules, rules, ever changing rules! And it is just as confusing on the other side of the ocean. Does anyone have a Tylenol?
Borders open, borders closed. For 15 long months, Americans were not allowed into Europe – or other destinations. According to The Conversation, 189 countries were closed. But on June 18, 2021, Europe opened borders again to fully vaccinated travelers. At last, dreams of a European summer vacation could be realized. There was, however, a dizzying array of rules on COVID tests and quarantine, which seemed to change every time I blinked.
Now, doors may be closing to Americans again. On Monday, the European Union recommended banning non-essential travel from America because of the alarming rise in COVID cases. And at one minute past midnight on Sept. 4, the U.S. will be designated a very high risk area, which means a ban will go into effect. Have a trip to the Netherlands planned? Think again. You may only travel there if you are fully vaccinated or fall under one of the EU entry ban’s exemption categories.
The Government of the Netherlands said Americans are “required to quarantine for 10 days on arrival as of tomorrow. As of Sept. 6, they must also show a negative test result. Proof of vaccination or recovery will no longer be sufficient.”
Look at the Map
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) issues its color-coded map updates every Thursday. In Belgium, our list is updated on Fridays and goes into effect on Saturday. Before I cross a border into France, Germany, Luxembourg or the Netherlands — all border countries to Belgium — I check the list — and check it twice. I feel like Santa scanning for who is “naughty” or “nice.”
The maps show the level of danger from COVID. It’s red for the highest risk, orange for moderate risk and green for safe areas. The US is bright red, of course. With the escalating rate of infections there, it seems like I’ll never get back to visit friends and family. Some I’d drop off the visiting list, anyway. A few are anti-vaxxers who bought into conspiracy theories. One, who was vehement about not getting the vaccine, died from COVID last week. Two more are currently in the hospital. I’m keeping those left behind and those in the hospital in my prayers. Please, people. Talk to your doctor about the vaccine, not your social media buddies.
Vaccination Passports
In my humble opinion, having a European Union digital COVID certificate, nicknamed the digital COVID passport, is a necessity. It opens up doors for some countries and activities. Of course, not everyone agrees. I have colleagues who are still vaccine hesitant. I have given up trying to convince them.
We’re seen some protests here, but nothing like those in the U.S. where people are playing Russian roulette with the virus. We’ve seen vocal people in France rebelling against restrictions that have been imposed, but President Macron is trying to keep French citizens safe and reopen the country. Right now, I can only visit for less than 48 hours.
I’ve been chomping at the bit to return to the UK, but I’ll have to wait on that, too. There are still requirements for expensive COVID tests, even for the fully vaccinated. I’m more comfortable waiting it out. It’s good that there is so much to see and do in Belgium.
I fully expected ALL of Belgium to be declared a red zone last week. However, Flanders, where I live, eked by and kept its orange status. Here in Flanders, more than 87% of us are already fully vaccinated. The Brussels Times reports that only 59% of residents in Brussels are vaccinated. In the German-speaking area of the country, 72% are vaccinated. In Wallonia, it’s 77%.
What Makes a Country Red?
A week ago, I could travel to Vienna, Austria; Stuttgart, Germany; or Oslo, Norway. No problem! Now, those cities are red due to rising COVID-19 infections. Of course, wherever I go, I have to fill out a pesky Passenger Locator Form if I’ve been gone for more than 48 hours. And it must be submitted to the Belgian government 48 hours before my return. You’ll need to fill one out, too. Access the electronic form here.
What makes a country red? Here’s the deal:
- RED – The 14-day cumulative COVID-19 case notification ranges from 75-200 and test positivity rate is 4% or more or the case notification rate is more than 200 and less than 500.
- DARK RED – The 14-day cumulative case notification rate is 500 or more.
So, I’m still stuck doing research before I travel. I turn to the Belgian government website to determine where I can go or can’t go. And where and when I might need to be tested, even though I am vaccinated.
What Should You Do?
Many resources are available if you are planning a trip to Europe? For Americans, my recommendation is to visit the US Department of State website for the latest news and rules. Be sure to check with the embassy of the country or countries you are visiting, too.
Longing for Normal Life
I long for walks along the beach in the Netherlands, shoe shopping in Aachen (Germany) and champagne tastings in France. Some of those things I was allowed to, if I was in the country for 12 hours or less. In some cases, like France, it was less than 48 hours. As I’ve said, it’s flipping confusing!
What’s off my list for now? Cyprus, Denmark’s capital region, Estonia, most of Germany, Helsinki, Iceland, most of Ireland, Malta, Monaco, much of the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and the UK. That may all change again tomorrow, though.
From Red to Reading
Today, I am really sulking. I was supposed to lead a trip of expats to Mont Saint-Michel, France, on Friday. It’s one of my favorite places — and a place my sister-in-law Chele is dying to visit. Her parents loved it so much that they named her after it! Get a glimpse of the coastal island above with some international visitors stopping by to see it before the pandemic.
Since France is still red, and it was a three-day trip, I’m not going to Normandy this weekend. I’ll be sitting home with the latest David Baldacci thriller — and dreaming about open borders.
- Please note that rules are changing frequently. Check and double check before finalizing your trip.
