There are concerns that if the COVID-19 linger longer than necessary, European countries might make adjustments to their visa rules with applicants providing proof of COVID-19 free while applying for Schengen Visa. This comes amid a recent warning by the French President Emanuel Macron that the external borders of the Schengen Area and the Associated Member states may remain closed until September extinguishing the hopes of those intending to apply for a Schengen visa throughout this period.

If the European Commission, which has already called for the prolongation of the border closure until mid-May, decides to extend external borders until September, this means non-EEA nationals and residence permit holders will not be able to travel to these countries. It is a sure thing that once the risks from the pandemic are reduced, and the Schengen Area starts going back to normality, the member states will start asking for additional documents regarding the applicant’s health conditions.

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In series of emails with SchengenVisaInfo.com, an EU official has confirmed that those wishing to travel to the Schengen Area after the Member States start to gradually go back to normal, may have to present a negative COVID-19 test. “When the Schengen Borders open up in September, if they do, Schengen Visa applicants may need to submit a Coronavirus test that has resulted negative, taken within the last two weeks prior to the visa application. The traveller may be required to take a new test before travelling to the Schengen area, as to make sure that he/she has not been infected in the meantime,” the source said.

The official also noted that once the COVID-19 vaccine is confirmed and available for all, visa applicants may also be required to be vaccinated in the future, in particular, if the virus remains active. While the requirement may seem that Schengen countries are going to extra lengths pushed by the Coronavirus pandemic, the official states that in the past there have been similar requirements imposed by some of the Schengen Member states, towards countries worst hit with the Swine Flu and the Ebola virus.

While the number of Coronavirus cases in the world is nearing two million, the worst-hit country in the world remains the United States with 588,465 cases detected, followed by four Schengen members, Spain, Italy, France, and Germany. The Schengen country with the highest number of deaths remains Italy, while the highest number of deaths per one million people has been San Marino, a country of 33,785 citizens where 371 have died.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry