Introducing a Travel Bubble Among the Baltic States

Three Baltic nations are poised to create a “travel bubble” that will see them opening their borders to each other’s citizens effective May 15. Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have agreed to open the internal borders while the COVID-19 pandemic evolves.

This arrangement will enhance travel opportunities for people within the three countries. However, neighbouring nations including Russia, Belarus, and Poland will be excluded from the bubble at this time. The decision is based on the belief that these nations have effectively managed the spread of COVID-19, with Estonia recording 55 deaths, Lithuania 48, and Latvia 17. Therefore, the Lithuanian government believes that this collaboration is feasible as they “trust each other’s health care systems.”

Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis has confirmed that travellers arriving from outside this “bubble” will be required to spend 14 days in quarantine. He noted, “We will adhere to this principle when addressing countries where the situation is dire, which failed to implement measures to control the virus spread.” Additionally, he mentioned that Poland and Finland could potentially be the next countries to join this free travel area. Furthermore, the European Commission has suggested that internal border controls between all EU member states should be lifted in a coordinated manner once the virus situation is sufficiently managed.

A pattern for such arrangements may be emerging, as New Zealand and Australia are also considering establishing a “travel bubble”, formally known as the “trans-Tasman Covid-safe travel zone.”