EU chief proposes 30-day ban on non-essential entry into block

The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, has just announced a proposed  30-day ban on non-essential travel into the EU bloc.It’s an attempt to slow down the virus bu tht Commission is insisting on keeping borders open between EU member states as much as possible.

The EU’s rule book allows member states to close borders in exceptional circumstances and introduce border checks for a limited period. After a closure of 10 days it can be renewed for up to two months After a video conference meeting of leaders of  the G7 countries von der Lynden said that the proposed plan could be prolonged if necessary.

She said long-term residents in the European Union, frontier workers, family members of EU nationals and diplomats would be exempted from the restrictions. After China Italy has the highest number of deaths and cases as a consequence neighbouring countries such as Austria and Slovenia have moved to slow traffic. Essential services and the flood of goods will not be impacted by the proposed ban