The European Commission has invited the Member States to extend restrictions on non-essential travel until 15 June.
While some EU and Schengen Associated States have taken steps towards easing the measures for fighting the pandemic, the EC says the situation remains “fragile”. They have called for continued measures at the external borders to reduce the risk of the disease spreading, via travel, through the EU.
The EC has suggested that the easing of travel restriction should be phased starting with internal border controls before lifting restrictions at external borders in a second stage.
Margaritis Schinas, Vice President for Promoting our European Way of Life said:
“We need a phased and coordinated approach. Restoring the normal functioning of the Schengen area of free movement is our first objective as soon as the health situation allows it. Restrictions on free movement and internal border controls will need to be lifted gradually before we can remove restrictions at the external borders and guarantee access to the EU for non-EU residents for non-essential travel.”
The invitation to extend restrictions applies to the EU+ area including all Schengen Member states and the four Schengen Associated States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland).
The EC said that action at the external borders can only be effective if implemented by all EU and Schengen States at all borders, with the same end date and in a uniform manner.
