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

Summary:

Communication published by the European Commission on 8 May 2020, setting out an assessment on the spread of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak to inform on the extension of temporary restrictions on non-essential travel to the European Union (EU).

Further information:

The European Commission adopted on 16 March 2020 a Communication proposing a temporary restriction on non-essential travel to the EU. This applied to all non-essential travel from third countries to the EU+ area, except for some groups identified by the document for the purposes of returning to their homes. It was also stated that Member States should not apply the restrictions to specific categories of travellers with an essential function or need. On 30 March, the Commission adopted guidance on how to implement the temporary travel restrictions, the facilitation of repatriations from across the world and the addressing visas lapsed as a result of the restrictions.

The initial Communication recommended that the restrictions were in place initially for 30 days, with any extension considered upon assessment on further developments. A second Communication was published on 8 April, which recommended that restrictions were prolonged until 15 May. This Communication invites Member States to extend them for a further 30 days, until 15 June 2020.

• Primary Source

• Alternative Source

Official

European Commission: Press Release, 08/05/2020: Coronavirus: Commission invites Member States to extend restriction on non-essential travel to the EU until 15 June https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_823

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