member European Union (I) Voted today to impose a new round of restrictions on non-essential travelers from the United States.

In June of this year, 27 groups of countries including France, Italy and Germany voted to remove the restrictions previously set by the European Union. However, according to data from the European Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United States now reports 588 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, which is much higher than the European threshold of 75 new cases per 100,000.

In recent weeks, there has been a surge in COVID-19 cases originating from Delta variants in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and Texas All reports ICU capacity exceeds 90%.

The EU will deal with the matter again in two weeks, following its regular agreement to monitor international travel. If the number of cases in the United States declines from now to then, Americans may be allowed to travel non-essentially again.

The news of EU travel restrictions is a blow to the aviation industry. The picture above shows the British Airways brand aircraft being grounded at Cardiff Airport in Cardiff, UK on April 28, 2020.
Photo by Matthew Howwood/Getty Images