CORONAVIRUS/Netherlands to open borders to travelers from Taiwan on June 24

Brussels and Taipei, June 22 (CNA) Travelers from Taiwan will be allowed to visit the Netherlands without having to quarantine or present a negative COVID-19 test result beginning June 24.

The Government of the Netherlands on Tuesday posted a list of nearly 50 safe countries with a low risk of contracting COVID-19 on its official website, which includes Taiwan.

"A safe country is a country where the risk of contracting COVID-19 is low. If you live in a safe country, you may travel to the Netherlands," the Netherlands Government said.

"If you are coming from a country where the risk of contracting COVID-19 is low (a safe country), you do not need to show a negative test result when you travel to the Netherlands. You are also not required to self-quarantine when you arrive in the Netherlands," it said.

The list, which places Taiwan in the "Safe countries outside the EU/Schengen area" section, noted that the travel privilege will be effective from June 24.

The announcement came after the European Union (EU) announced four days earlier a list of 14 countries or territories for which it is recommended that member states gradually lift the EU-wide ban on non-essential travel.

The EU list, which is subjected to review every two weeks, also includes Taiwan.

Following the EU recommendation, the German Institute Taipei announced that from June 20, Germany would lift all travel restrictions on Taiwan's residents, which were put in place after the COVID-19 pandemic started in early 2020.

However, those who fly to Germany still need to provide a COVID-19 test with a negative result, proof of recovery from COVID-19, or evidence of vaccination upon entry, it added.