on the assessment of the application of the temporary restriction on non-essential travel to the EU

I Introduction

On 10 March 2020, the Heads of State or Government of the European Union emphasised the need for a joint European approach with regard to COVID-19 and a close coordination with the European Commission.

On 16 March 2020, the Commission adopted a Communication to the European Parliament, the European Council and the Council on a ‘Temporary restriction on non-essential travel to the EU’. In this Communication, the Commission recommended to the European Council to act with a view to the rapid adoption, by the Heads of State or Government of the Schengen Member States together with their counterparts of the Schengen Associated States, of a temporary restriction of non-essential travel from third countries into the EU+ area.

On 17 March 2020, those States agreed on coordinated action at the external borders based on that recommendation of the Commission. All EU Member States (with the exception of Ireland) and Schengen Associated States have since then taken national decisions to implement the travel restrictions.

The temporary travel restriction applies to all non-essential travel from third countries to the EU+ area. At the same time, to ensure that the rights of the EU citizens and citizens of Schengen Associated States, their family member and of the third country nationals residing legally in the EU are respected, these groups are exempted from the application of travel restrictions for the purposes of returning to their homes. In order to limit the impact of the restriction on the functioning of our societies to the necessary minimum, it was stated that Member States should not apply the restrictions to specific categories of travellers with an essential function or need.

To assist Member States in the implementation of the travel restrictions, the Commission adopted on 30 March 2020 guidance on how to implement the temporary travel restrictions, the facilitation of repatriations from across the world, and on dealing with people whose visas have lapsed as a result of travel restrictions. This guidance was elaborated with input from the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and Europol.

The Commission Communication of 16 March 2020 recommended that the temporary travel restriction would apply initially for 30 days, and that any possible extension of this period should be assessed depending on further developments. The decisions by the Member States were taken at different dates, but most were in place by 20 March 2020, which means that the initial 30-day period of application will come to an end shortly.

This action at the external border complemented other important steps and measures taken by Member States to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and respond to the healthcare needs, including a variety of confinements, restrictions on social interaction, and measures at internal borders.

This Communication assesses the developments since the adoption of the Communication of 16 March and whether an extension is needed and justified





II Developments since the adoption of the Communication

The objective of restrictions at the external border is to reduce the risk of spread of the disease through travel to the EU. The month of March has seen a drastic reduction in global travel, both to and from the EU, as well as within the EU.

Eurocontrol reported on 31 March 2020 an overall reduction of 86.1% in the number of flights, which translates into 25,948 fewer flights (compared to 31 March 2019) . Overall passenger traffic has been almost reduced to zero, the still remaining flights mainly limited to cargo flights and repatriation flights.

A similar trend of passenger traffic can be seen in other modes of transport, such as in ferry, coach and rail transport. For instance, cruise lines have effectively ceased operating new cruise voyages since early March, so the drop is 100% compared to last year, as there is no cruise activity now taking place except for ships returning to port.

In addition to these developments regarding travel reduction at the external borders, all EU and Schengen Associated States have taken measures within their territory to limit the further spread of the virus, and some have even reintroduced internal border control. The containment measures vary in severity depending on the health situation in the country, but overall, measures put in place aim at limiting the spread of the virus by reducing social interaction to the minimum.

The reintroduction of internal border controls, together with different measures across the EU affecting the normal operation of industry and services, had a serious impact on the functioning of the internal market. Such measures affect the supply chain, with vital products such as food, medicines and protective equipment not reaching their destinations or arriving with significant delay. In order to address this problem and to limit to the extent possible any impact on the functioning of the internal market, the Commission has been working relentlessly with Member States, mobilising all the necessary resources and ensuring coordination at EU level. It has also presented practical guidance to ensure the continuous flow of such vital goods across EU via green lanes, to facilitate air cargo and to guarantee the exercise of the free movement of workers.

III Prolongation of the temporary travel restriction to the EU+ area