The European Commission has invited the European states part of the Schengen Area, and the associated states to prolong the external border closure for non-essential travel to EU for another month, until May 15.

The Commission has assessed that these countries are still exposed to the pandemic; therefore a coordinated approach to the prolongation is necessary, with the same end date and in a uniform manner.

The Vice-President for Promoting our European Way of Life, Margaritis Schinas, asserted that all Member States and the Associated States have successfully implemented social distancing measures to limit social interaction and curb the spread of the virus.

“The restriction on non-essential travel from third counties to the EU complements these measures at the EU’s external borders. While we can see encouraging first results, prolonging the travel restriction is necessary to continue reducing the risks of the disease spreading further. We should not yet let the door open whilst we are securing our house,” he said.

Whereas the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, added said that the current situation compels the EU to call for an extension of the restriction measures on non-essential travel to the EU.

“While coordinated action is key at the external borders, we also need to work together at the internal borders to make sure our internal market continues to function properly, and that vital products such as food, medicines and protective equipment can reach their destination without delay. We will continue assisting the Member States in all these strands of work.”

So far, all Schengen Member states and the four Schengen Associated States – Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland – have applies the travel restrictions as agreed by the European Commission and the European Council on March 17, as a measure to contain the further spread od the virus within the block.

According to a press release of the European Commission, as of the implementation of the EU travel restrictions, air passenger traffic in the block has been almost reduced to zero, while the remaining flights are mainly limited to cargo transport and repatriation.

It also explains that the Commission will continue to assist the Member States in the implementation of the travel restrictions, including through regular discussions in videoconference meetings with Home Affairs Ministers.

Possible further prolongation of the travel restriction beyond after May 15 will be assessed again, based on the evolution of the epidemiological situation.

The Commission asserts that parallel and coordinated action at external borders is an essential aspect of a concerted EU exit strategy and the gradual lifting of the current containment measures in Europe.

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