Brexit Could See Brits Banned From EU Countries Under Covid-19 Rules

Brits could be banned from visiting European Union (EU) countries following Brexit due to Covid-19 rules.

Only visitors from a handful of countries with low rates of coronavirus are currently allowed to make nonessential visits to the EU.

PA

As it stands, from 1 January - when Brexit takes effect - Brits will no longer be able travel freely within Europe.

Currently, only eight countries - with much lower coronavirus infection rates than the UK - are exempt from the travel ban.

Those countries are: Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Rwanda, Singapore, Thailand and China.

Brits could yet be able to travel to Europe in the new year if rules are relaxed or if member states decide to override the recommendations of the European Council.

At the moment though, only Hungary and Croatia haven't applied the travel ban list.

A UK government spokesperson said: "We cannot comment on decisions that could be taken by other states on public health matters.

"We take a scientific, risk-based approach to health measures at the border, and it is of course in the interests of all countries to allow safe international travel as we emerge from the pandemic."

Boris Johnson has been in Brussels attempting to negotiate a trade deal; however, 'large gaps' remain following a dinner with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen.

It is has now been agreed that a 'firm decision' on the future of the talks should be decided by Sunday, a No. 10 spokesperson said.

Commenting on the talks, von der Leyen said: "We had a lively and interesting discussion on the state of play on outstanding issues.

"We understand each other's positions. They remain far apart.

"The teams should immediately reconvene to try to resolve these issues. We will come to a decision by the end of the weekend."

PA

The Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, said a no-deal outcome is a very real possibility.

She said: "If there are conditions coming from the British side which we cannot accept, then we will go on our own way without an exit agreement.

"Because one thing is certain: the integrity of the single market has to be maintained."

Topics: UK News, Coronavirus, travel, brexit, Politics

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey