The Council of the European Union issued a recommendation (open in new tab) on Tuesday to lift temporary restrictions on non-essential travel to EU member states.

The move could affect 29 U.S. men on world and professional teams and 29 U.S. women on world or continental teams.

The EU has banned travelers from abroad in an effort to stem the influx of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which has killed tens of thousands of people across Europe. However, only those living in areas where the average number of COVID-19 infections over the past 14 days is below the European 14-day average.

As of June 30, the level of reported COVID-19 infections in the U.S. was almost an order of magnitude higher than the EU average and has resurfaced to an exponential rise.

Many other countries did not make the cut, including Colombia, Ecuador, South Africa, Russia, and Brazil. Defending Tour de France champion Eoghan Bernal (Team Ineos) will fly to Europe on July 19 on a charter flight with his compatriots.

EU countries are free to make their own border decisions and may grant further exceptions to the Council's recommendations, such as visas or temporary residency, as Italy and Spain already have done. Until Brexit is completed, the UK is still considered part of the EU.

In recent weeks, several American riders have been able to head to Europe despite the travel ban. Matteo Jorgenson (Movistar) returned to Nice in early June, and Larry Walbus (AG2R La Mondiale) made the same trip last week.

EF Pro Cycling's Tejay Van Garderen flew to Spain this week and posted a short 33 km ride from Girona to Strava. Van Garderen aborted Paris-Nice and returned home after President Donald Trump abruptly announced a ban on European travelers in early March.

A Trek-Segafredo spokesman said only that the team would do everything in its power to get the athletes back to Europe.

Athletes wishing to travel to Europe may only do so as an exception to the travel ban, which relates to "highly qualified workers" but only if "their employment is necessary from an economic point of view and their work cannot be postponed or performed abroad."

This recommendation may cause headaches for men and women who hope to return abroad for the resumption of racing in late July. The first major men's race is the Sibiu Cycling Tour in Romania (July 23-26), while the women's race resumes on July 23 at the 1.1 Emacmene Nafaroaco Classicoa. The first race of the Women's World Tour, Strade Bianche, coincides with the resumption of the Men's World Tour.

The EU and Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein will open their borders to travelers in many countries, including Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Andorra, San Marino, and Monaco. China's accession is "contingent on the confirmation of reciprocity."

The Council of the European Union recommends that the situation be reviewed every two weeks, so although Australia is on the list to be allowed in, the recent surge of cases in the country could jeopardize the entry of players into Europe if not brought under control.

Restrictions on entry into the U.S. apply to those who have been in Europe for the past 14 days, with the exception of U.S. citizens.