E.U. May Bar American Travelers as It Reopens Borders, Citing Failures on Virus

[herding cats]

Source: NYT

European Union officials are racing to agree on who can visit the bloc as of July 1 based on how countries of origin are faring with new coronavirus cases. Americans, so far, are excluded, according to draft lists seen by The New York Times.

BRUSSELS — European Union countries rushing to revive their economies and reopen their borders after months of coronavirus restrictions are prepared to block Americans from entering because the United States has failed to control the scourge, according to draft lists of acceptable travelers seen by The New York Times.

That prospect, which would lump American visitors in with Russians and Brazilians as unwelcome, is a stinging blow to American prestige in the world and a repudiation of President Trump’s handling of the virus in the United States, which has more than 2.3 million cases and upward of 120,000 deaths, more than any other country.

European nations are currently haggling over two potential lists of acceptable visitors based on how countries are faring with the coronavirus pandemic. Both include China, as well as developing nations like Uganda, Cuba and Vietnam.

Travelers from the United States and the rest of the world have been excluded from visiting the European Union — with few exceptions mostly for repatriations or “essential travel” —- since mid-March. But a final decision on reopening the borders is expected early next week, before the bloc reopens on July 1.

A prohibition of Americans by Brussels partly reflects the shifting pattern of the pandemic. In March, when Europe was the epicenter, Mr. Trump infuriated European leaders when he banned citizens from most European Union countries from traveling to America. Mr. Trump justified the move as necessary to protect the United States, which at the time had roughly 1,100 coronavirus cases and 38 deaths.

Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/23/world/europe/coronavirus-EU-American-travel-ban.html?campaign_id=60&emc=edit_na_20200623&instance_id=0&nl=breaking-news&ref=cta&regi_id=13116605&segment_id=31652&user_id=28630ef3df7e375197eb236f7ae4c67b

[bdamomma]

1. Horrible

we need to get that POS out of the Hate House, we are the outcasts of the world.

[IronLionZion]

2. Douchebag turned America into a shithole country

[soothsayer]

3. I would too

[kimbutgar]

4. I knew this could possibly happen and I don't don't blame them

My sister and I were thinking about taking a cruise in Europe in the fall. It has become increasingly evident to us there will be no cruise and the EU is so horrified by MF45’s response it’s no shock they would ban Americans. Until MF45 is out of office the US will be looked down upon, mocked and pitied.

[Steelrolled]

6. Getting Trump out of office will not change much.

The COVID-19 ship in America has sailed.

[PSPS]

10. Actually, it will make a big difference. In fact, it's the only thing that will.

[central scrutinizer]

5. Prudent move

Anything else would be reckless endangerment of its citizens

[dalton99a]

7. For very good reason.

[Steelrolled]

8. I think we have learned the value of border control.

Even the EU closed national borders, which I thought would never happen.

Closing borders as soon as possible, is not a complete solution, but it slows things down so the country has more time to prepare. I think areas like NYC and Belgium were hit so hard due to international travel.

[a la izquierda]

15. Yes but HOW borders are closed is key.

There was an interesting article that Trump's March EU travel ban actually helped cases here explode because, since he rolled out a half baked plan, Americans flipped out (rightly so) and flooded home immediately.

[Steelrolled]

18. I don't think any country's travel plan prevented citizens from returning home

whenever they wanted.

While you could say that in a purely selfish viewpoint, we would prefer they never come back, in fact, I thought we wanted them back ASAP, but then self isolate for 14 days. I believe that China enforced this in some way (based on someone I know who returned to China) but in western countries is was up to the individual. Of course, there are too many people in western cultures who are "smarter than the government".

[a la izquierda]

22. Right. But Trump rolled his out so poorly it wasn't clear if Americans would be locked out.

I know this for a fact, because I remember getting the WaPo alert in my office, 6 hours before I was due to fly to London. The statement, as all Trump's tend to be, was extremely unclear. I figured if I went, I'd get stuck- and my boss made it clear that the university was still open and I was obligated to return after break.
So I canceled. Then the next day they rolled out a clear(er) plan, and I was furious because I could have gone, done what I needed to do in London, and returned.

[PSPS]

9. Trump has turned the US into a pariah state. MAGA!!!11!!

[Lonestarblue]

11. We seniors will be hiding out at home for at least the rest of this year.

Unfortunately, I live in Texas where business profits are more important than people’s lives and where the percentage of people without health insurance is the largest in the country. And, oh yes, we are governed by utter fools. The state reopened too soon, and the governor did nothing to require face masks and physical distancing. One of the largest grocery chains here, HEB, requires a mask to enter their stores. HEB has done a better job of preparing for and responding to the virus than any of our elected officials.

I am so angry just now—at Trump for doing nothing for months while wishing the virus away, at Republican governors for placing their tax revenue over people’s lives, and at the idiot Trump followers who believe that the virus is nothing and their right to go get a haircut or have a pool party is more important than trying to contain this virus. I’m am just tired of all these people for being so damned stupid and forcing the rest of us to suffer from their stupidity!

[lettucebe]

12. We cannot travel, and they won't travel here either

No one is talking about the long-term effects to tourism but this is absolutely going to ruin our tourism industry. Who wants to vacation in virus land? Things are half-open, it's a giant mess, and disease is rampant. Put aside the flying part; who wants to vacation or visit anything in the US of A at this point? I'd think few; some always will (like the folks who love cruises - my sister is one) but most sane will choose to stay closer to home.

It's really too bad. Pretty much dashes my hopes to become an expat in France, but that was a pretty long
shot anyway.

[a la izquierda]

16. I'm in quarantine in England right now, as I'm moving here in November.

I'm here to look for a flat and I'd hoped to hop the ferry over to visit friends Rotterdam. Looks like that's not happening at the moment, though once I'm on a UK visa, I should be able to (I guess in theory).

I can't wait to apply for my Irish and English passports and never have to use my US one again (except to travel back to visit family).

[Steelrolled]

19. As a small silver lining

it will give some of our wildlife areas (national parts, etc) a breather. It is probably my imagination, but it seems like there is more wildlife around me this spring. It brings me a little joy to see that most of life is completely unaffected by this virus.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

13. Oops, I didn't see this thread earlier!

I created another thread.

As for the story, who can blame them?

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

14. Heckuva job Trumpy

[Withywindle]

17. They should.

Thanks to our terrible, worse-than-nonexistent leadership, we are disease vectors. Countries that have done better at handling the virus SHOULD shut us out. I don't blame them a bit.

[ChazII]

21. Well said!

Direct and to the point. I agree 100%.

[roamer65]

20. Border restrictions are still in place with Canada.

I expect those will be lengthened and tightened by the Canadians. The Europeans will follow the same path and rightly so.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

23. It would crack me up if Canada built a wall...

... to keep us out.

It won't happen, but it would be funny to see the reactions by some Trump supporters.

Even the threat of doing it would likely put a smile on my face.

[roamer65]

24. Actually building one would be smart for them.

Keep the climate exodus south of the border. Michigan should build one on the Ohio and Indiana borders.

If it’s fortified enough, we can leave the United States and join the Canadian confederation.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

25. Fine by me, I'll just get in through Wisconsin, as usual.

The UP is the best part anyway.

[roamer65]

26. The Wisconsin border would be next.

LOL.

I can sing O’ Canada and I like hockey, so I’m ready.

🇨🇦

[Buckeye_Democrat]

27. Lol! I don't blame you. nt

[roamer65]

28. But since you're a good person, I'll sponsor you for political asylum.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

29. Thanks! I'd love to live somewhere with universal healthcare!