The US will open its doors to European travelers this November. And to Chinese travelers. For a brief period in summer, the EU lifted travel restrictions for Americans. But, the EU is off limits to Chinese vaccinated with Chinese vaccinations. Only Western vaccinated travelers are invited. Chinese travelers comprise the EU’s second most important travel group behind the US. Will the omission of Chinese-made vaccines have a major impact on Europe’s travel industry? Public health or political question?
Professor Alexander H.E. Morawa recently traveled to Europe and spent a few months in Austria. Professor Morawa shares his observations and reflections with Jay Fidell, comparing international travel protocols before and during the pandemic, what measures are put in place in Europe, and how people’s daily life has changed.
To open or not open the border to international travelers, or travelers from certain countries in specific, is more of a public health question or a political question? Whether to put in or not to put in restrictive measures for international arrivals is based on science or based on cultural norms?
