Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission | Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP via Getty Images Von der Leyen calls for ban on travel to EU Restrictions on non-essential travel would initially last 30 days, European Commission president says.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called on Monday for a temporary restriction on non-essential travel to the EU due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“I propose to the [EU] heads of state and government to introduce temporary restriction on non-essential travel to the European Union," von der Leyen said in a video message posted on social media.

The restrictions "should be in place for an initial period of 30 days, which can be prolonged as necessary."

People transporting goods would be exempt as well as "frontier workers who legally commute" from neighboring countries.

Exemptions would also be made for long-term residents in the European Union, family members of EU nationals, and diplomats. "Essential staff" such as doctors, nurses, care workers, researchers and experts who help tackle the coronavirus "should continue to be allowed in the European Union," von der Leyen added.

"The less travel, the more we can contain the virus," she said.

Von der Leyen also called for the introduction of "so-called green lanes, fast lanes, to give priority to essential transport like medical goods, perishable goods, notably food and emergency services."