EU MULLS RECOMMENDING BAN ON TRAVELERS FROM US

As European Union nations continue to ease coronavirus restrictions, EU member states are discussing barring visitors from several countries, including the US, according to EU officials speaking to CNN. These sources, who are involved in the talks, say they have not seen any lists mentioning specific countries.

Amid a surge of coronavirus infections in some parts of the world, the EU has been working with member nations to agree on which travelers might be considered safe to visit the bloc starting July 1. The guidance will be based on how countries of origin are faring with the coronavirus pandemic, Kylie Atwood, James Frater, Vivia Salama, Vasco Cotovio and Samantha Beech reported for CNN.

"The criteria will be focused on circulation of the virus," said one EU diplomat, adding that Brussels is looking to keep out travelers from countries "where the virus is circulating most actively."

However, recommendations made by the Commission are not mandatory. Only an individual country can make the decision to open and close a border. When asked if the US was on a list of origin countries that might be barred from travel to Europe, a EU diplomat directed CNN to the first point of a June 11 checklist published by the European Commission (EC) on what to consider when allowing travelers into the EU. Listed on top are countries with high infection rates an those lagging behind in testing and treatment of patients. The US has the highest number of coronavirus deaths and infections in the world. On Tuesday afternoon in the US, at least 2,329,637 have been infected in the country and 121,029 have died, according to the Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center.