BRUSSELS: Japan is likely to be on a list of countries to be shortly announced by the European Union for lifting its travel restrictions aimed at curbing the COVID-19 pandemic, it was learned Saturday.

The EU is considering accepting travelers from over 10 countries where COVID-19 infections are not spreading faster than in the region, according to diplomatic sources.

Meanwhile, the EU list is unlikely to include the United States, Brazil and Russia. The EU is considering reviewing the list every two weeks, the sources said.

The EU plans to remove the travel restrictions in stages from July, in line with the reopening of borders between its member countries.

The restrictions were introduced in mid-March, banning entry by non-EU citizens or residents from outside a total of 30 EU and Schengen Area countries, excluding Ireland, for nonessential reasons.

JIJI Press