Croatia is the first country in the EU to reopen to US tourists

• The Croatian Ministry of Interior announced Friday that the country has reopened to tourists from all countries, including the US.
• The announcement goes against the EU's recent travel ban, which excluded the US from its list of safe countries whose citizens may travel throughout the EU.
• Visitors entering Croatia will be required to bring a negative COVID-19 test, proof of accommodation, and complete a travel registration prior to arrival.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends avoiding all nonessential international travel during this time.

Croatia has become the first country in the European Union to welcome US tourists.

The Croatian Ministry of Interior announced on Friday that the country has officially reopened to tourists from all countries.

The news comes after the EU finalized its ban on American travelers in late June, when it announced that it would be opening its borders to 15 countries for nonessential travel starting July 1; the US did not make the list due to its climbing coronavirus cases.

When entering Croatia, tourists are required to bring a negative coronavirus test taken within 48 hours of arrival, according to the conditions of entry on the Croatian Ministry of Interior's website. Without the negative test, visitors will be required to self isolate for 14 days, the official website says.

According to Time Out, travelers will also be required to fill out a travel registration form, in which visitors declare their reason for entering Croatia. They're also required to provide proof of their accommodation, according to the Croatian Ministry of Interior.

At the time of writing, Croatia has 3,775 confirmed coronavirus cases and 119 coronavirus-related deaths, per the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center.

Tourism in Croatia has been on the rise in recent years. The nation welcomed 21 million tourists in 2019, and Plitvice Lakes National Park and Diocletian's Palace would typically be teeming with tourists at this time of year.

The country started lifting its lockdown restrictions on April 27, according to Politico. Since then, restaurants, hotels, parks, and tourist destinations have reopened. Both tourists and locals are urged to wear masks and maintain a distance of 6 feet when in public spaces.

The US Embassy in Croatia is continuously updating the country's rules and restrictions, so it's important to check its website before visiting the country.

It's also worth noting that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends avoiding all nonessential travel during this time. If you decide to travel, follow the CDC's recommendations in the Global COVID-19 Pandemic Notice.

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