[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] As the so-called India-origin variant virus called Delta spreads in the UK, the European Union (EU) has decided to postpone adding the UK to the 'whitelist' that allows non-essential travel without vaccination.
Major foreign media reported on the 2nd (local time) that "the EU has postponed adding the UK to the whitelist at least until mid-month."
Many EU member countries opposed adding the UK to the whitelist, citing that the spread of COVID-19 in the UK has not subsided. In fact, as of the previous day, Delta infections doubled compared to the previous week.
Foreign media, citing EU sources, reported, "More countries are expected to be added to the whitelist on the 14th, but the UK may be considered depending on the spread of the variant virus."
On the other hand, Japan, which reduced the number of confirmed cases through an extension of the state of emergency, decided to add itself to the whitelist following South Korea, Australia, Israel, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, and Thailand.
EU member countries create and announce the whitelist based on trends in new confirmed cases and quarantine measures in each country. Last month, the whitelist criteria were relaxed from 25 or fewer new confirmed cases per 100,000 population in the past two weeks to 75 or fewer.
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