Upvote:3
Some countries have in fact resumed visa processing, including for short-stay visas but not for all purposes. The exemption make that possible in the first place but that doesn't mean everybody will be able to travel or that countries have to facilitate this. What was agreed is that EU countries are not free to admit non-essential visitors from countries that are not listed in the exemption (including visitors from the US) but they are still free to impose additional limitations or resume visa processing at their own pace.