After the most sweeping restrictions on movement in decades, the world—or at least part of it—is beginning to imagine the end of border closures. Limitations on mobility stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic remain widespread, both internationally and, in countries such as Australia, internally. Economies have spiraled, migrants have been left stranded, and access to asylum has shrunk.

In recent weeks, the European Union has begun experimenting with what it might look like for countries to reopen, first by encouraging Member States to recommit to free movement and providing guidance allowing residents of 15 non-EU countries access to the bloc.

By early indications, the transition is neither smooth nor uniform. Major powers such as the United States, Russia, and Brazil are excluded, and China’s addition is contingent on Beijing granting reciprocal access for EU travelers. Hungary, which lifted many of its border controls in May, reversed course this week and will now bar foreigners from certain high-risk countries and require quarantines for those from countries with a “yellow” risk warning. Europeans from areas with high rates of COVID-19, including Sweden and Portugal, will face quarantines at some borders, including those of Belgium and Estonia.

The EU guidelines include exemptions for long-term residents, asylum seekers, and people “with an essential function or need,” including seasonal agricultural workers and medical professionals.

Border restrictions have been rolled back in a few other countries, many of which are small island states or places dependent on tourism. But by and large, the European Union’s stutter-steps toward reopening remain the exception, with much of the world maintaining partial or total restrictions on movement. On July 9, the International Organization for Migration reported 220 countries, territories, or areas had issued travel restrictions.

Given the tenacity of the coronavirus, full return to pre-pandemic mobility seems far off. In the meantime, one strategy gaining popularity is the adoption of “travel bubbles” for small groups of countries, allowing citizens and residents to travel within the zone while limiting access to foreigners. Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia created the first such European bubble in May. A trans-Tasman bubble had been proposed for Australia, New Zealand, and some countries in the Asia-Pacific, but was put on hold amid renewed outbreaks. 

Bilateral travel agreements are also on the rise. The United Kingdom has set up “travel corridors” to dozens of countries—including tropical locales popular with summer travelers—without mandates for quarantine. Since April, China has sought bilateral “fast-track” agreements with countries including South Korea and Singapore, although the scheme have been limited to sponsored travelers who are subjected to COVID-19 testing and other measures.

Even when broader mobility resumes, it could become the norm for border officials to require testing and contact tracing. As MPI’s Meghan Benton wrote in May, the coming months will force countries to make tough decisions that could have far-reaching consequences. A long journey awaits, but Europe’s new experiment amounts to a tentative first step.

Best regards,

Julian Hattem

Editor, Migration Information Source