EU on Brexit talks, countries to be allowed entrance

The European Commission refused to comment Monday on the list of countries whose citizens will be allowed to enter the EU in the coming days, as the process was being finalised at the European Council by EU member states. Americans are almost certain to be excluded in the short term due to the number of US coronavirus cases.

"We are not going to speculate on what will be the final decision by the Council, we of course understand the huge interest that this issue raises, but for the moment there is a decision making process in the Council and we do not want to speculate on what the final result will be," said European Commission spokesperson Eric Mamer.

EU envoys in Brussels worked over the weekend to narrow down the exact criteria for countries to be included, mostly centered on their ability to manage the spread of the disease.

Importantly, the countries are also expected to drop any travel restrictions they have imposed on European citizens.

The Commission also confirmed that EU and UK negotiators resumed face-to-face talks on a post-Brexit trade deal on Monday, with both sides insisting that the process must accelerate if they're to reach an agreement by the end of the year.

"Our overall message this week but also for the coming weeks and the coming months is to intensify our negotiations in order to make progress in order to get a deal," said European Commission spokesperson Daniel Ferrie. This new round of negotiations is expected to last until the end of the week.