Easing Of Travel Restrictions
The European Commission has proposed the following for travel
restrictions to be lifted for non-EU countries as of July 1, 2020
for all Member States so that it maintains a coordinated and
uniform approach:
- Objective criteria:Restrictions should be lifted first towards non-EU countries whose
epidemiological situation is similar or better than the EU average
and where sufficient capabilities to deal with the virus are in
place. In doing so, Member States should consider the non-EU
countries’ ability to apply containment measures during travel,
including potential transit via high-risk areas and whether that
specific country has lifted its own travel restrictions towards the
EU and Schengen States. These criteria are included in a detailed
checklist issued by the Commission, to help
Member States reach coordinated decisions.
- Coordinated approach: Goingforward, the Commission proposes a coordination mechanism whereby
it would provide technical support to Member States and Schengen
Associated States and facilitate the preparation of a list of
countries towards which travel restrictions could be lifted, which
will be regularly updated. However, the current restrictions will
remain in place towards countries whose situation is worse than in
the EU. The Commission reiterates that Member States should adopt
such decisions in a coordinated manner and ensure their uniform
application across the EU.
Those who travel for study or highly skilled non-EU workers
whose work is deemed necessary and can’t be postponed or
performed abroad are exempt from the travel restriction. EU
citizens, citizens of Schengen Associated States, and non-EU
nationals legally residing in the EU, as well as their family
members are exempt from the travel restriction as well.
The Commission also published a guidance for Member States to resume the
processing of visa applications in parallel with its current
communication.
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