EU to open borders to 15 countries, U.S., China, Russia not among them

The decision comes after days of wrangling between the bloc’s member states, which were divided over the economic benefits of opening up ahead of the summer tourist season amid concerns about a second wave of the coronavirus.

Under the decision, citizens of Algeria, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, Serbia, South Korea, Thailand and Uruguay may enter the EU from 1 July. China will be added to the list if Beijing green-lights EU citizens' entry into the country. Some European micro-states such as the Vatican, Andorra and Monaco are also included.

Under the plan, member states would review the list every two weeks to decide which countries should stay on the list and if any should be added.

Tourism accounts for about 10% of the EU's economic output.

Cover photo: Getty Images