EU Commission ‘discourages’ non-essential travel from UK, but says outright bans should be lifted

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION has taken steps to simplify the travel ban from the UK to EU member states.

In a statement this afternoon, the commission said travel from Britain to member states should be “discouraged” due to fears about the mutant variant of the coronavirus, but that driving bans should be lifted.

He recommended a joint approach by EU members after individual countries imposed emergency restrictions on Monday.

The most dramatic action came from France, which closed its border to trucks crossing the English Channel, causing more than 1,500 trucks to get stuck in Kent.

However, the new EU-wide approach recommended by the commission would allow essential travel and promote the facilitation of passenger transit.

Flight and train bans “should be lifted given the need to guarantee essential travel and avoid supply chain disruptions,” the commission said.

🔵 Recommendation of @EU_Commission To ensure a coordinated approach to travel restrictions:

➡️ Non-essential travel is discouraged, but transit should be made easier.
➡️Flight and train bans need to stop – supply chain disruption needs to be avoided https://t.co/4oSbI7MbCo#coronavirus pic.twitter.com/hLLKTxruOD

– Daniel Ferrie 🇪🇺 (@DanielFerrie) December 22, 2020

EU Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders said “Member states must take coordinated action to discourage non-essential travel between the UK and the EU.”

But “at the same time, blanket travel bans should not prevent thousands of EU and UK citizens from returning to their homes.”

Transport Commissioner Adina Valean said: “Within the EU, it is essential that transport workers are exempted from any restrictive measures.”

Talks between the UK and France to resolve the crisis in the Canal have included discussions on the testing of heavy vehicle drivers.

The EU recommendation suggested that rapid tests should be used to avoid disruptions.