EU clarifies omission of Sri Lanka in list of countries on travel restrictions

June 29, 2020 at 7:30 PM

The Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the EU Member States Embassies in Colombo today clarified the omission of Sri Lanka from the list of countries selected to lift the temporary restriction on non-essential travel to the EU.

Issuing a joint statement, the EU said along with the Member States Ambassadors resident in Colombo it recognizes the successful efforts of the Sri Lankan Government to contain the spread of COVID-19.

With the process of lifting internal border controls well underway, the EU is now preparing for the gradual reopening to travel from outside the EU.

The decision to lift travel restrictions with non- EU countries is ultimately the prerogative of EU- Member States and Schengen Associated Countries, the EU said.

The statement further said that to that effect, Member states and Associated countries have been working together to agree an initial positive list of countries with which borders could be reopened soon on the basis of objective criteria, including the epidemiological situation in the given country and possibility to seek reciprocity with the country concerned.

“The shortlist being examined at the moment is limited to 15 countries. It can be seen as a first step towards a return to normal. The absence of a country on this positive list should therefore not be considered as being blacklisted.” it clarified.

The EU added that the list will be regularly updated and revised to ensure that further countries can be added as soon as the situation allows. (Newswire)