The European Commission intends to temporarily limit the incoming air traffic from all countries outside the European Union in connection with the coronavirus for at least thirty days. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, presented the measure to the heads of government of the EU member states on Monday.
“The less we travel, the better we can control the spread of the virus,” said Von der Leyen. The measure does not apply to British people. The United Kingdom has since left the EU, but there is still a transition period until the end of this year in which everything remains the same.
There are exceptions to the proposed measure: people who have lived in the EU for a long time, family members of EU citizens and diplomats are still allowed to fly to the EU. The rules also do not apply to people with vital professions, such as doctors and researchers who help to fight the coronavirus. People who bring goods to the EU, such as medicines and food, are also still allowed to travel to the EU.
In addition, Von der Leyen wants there to be ‘priority roads’ within the EU for essential goods, such as medicines and food.
The EU would certainly not be the first to curb air traffic. The Americans already introduced an entry ban for EU member states last week. Within the EU, a number of countries have also suspended passenger air traffic.
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The coronavirus in short
- The coronavirus mainly spreads through sneezes and cough drops. The virus can be transmitted directly from person to person or (for a limited time) through surfaces such as door handles.
- An infected person infects two to three others on average. Precautions are necessary to contain this.
- The vast majority of patients have mild (flu-like) complaints.
- Nearly all deaths involve the elderly or other frail, such as heart, lung or diabetes patients. If everyone complies with the measures, this reduces their risks.
- Read here what precautions you should take.
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