All Schengen Area Member States have approved a plan proposed by the EU Commission which foresees the closure of the external borders of the territory, for at least a period of 30 days, as the most extreme measure taken by the block to halt the further spreading of the COVID-19. - https://www.eudebates.tv/debates/world-debates/g7-leaders-met-online-to-fight-coronavirus-as-eu-closes-borders/ #eudebates #coronavirusitalla #Covid_19 #coronavirus #CoronavirusOutbreak #Corona #COVD19 #Health #EUCO #COVID EU leaves economic forecast unchanged despite risks!
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said move is necessary to relieve pressure on healthcare system. The European Union will ban all nonessential travel into the bloc for at least 30 days. European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen said the move was needed to contain the coronavirus outbreak. The EU last week condemned President Donald Trump's ban on travel to the US from much of Europe. The EU's ban will not include the United Kingdom, which left the EU in January.
The European Union will restrict all nonessential travel into the region for at least 30 days, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Monday.
Only essential travel will be allowed for at least a month once the plan is approved by European leaders.
"The less travel, the more we can contain the virus," von der Leyen said in a video statement, adding, "I propose to the heads of state and government to introduce temporary restriction on nonessential travel to the European Union."
She said in a press conference: "We think nonessential travel should be reduced right now in order not to spread the virus further, be it within the European Union or by leaving the European Union, but also to avoid nonessential travels not to have more potential strain on our healthcare system."
Members of the Schengen travel area — including the non-EU members Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland — will not be affected by the rules. The United Kingdom, which left the EU in January but remains in a transition period with the bloc, will also be exempt.
Under the plan, visitors from non-EU states will not be allowed to enter the region unless they are long-term residents of the EU, family members of EU nationals, diplomats, cross-border commuters, or essential workers like doctors, nurses, and researchers, von der Leyen said.
The transport of goods will also be exempt from the restrictions.