EU rules for travel during a pandemic are being prepared: some professions will not need to be quarantined

Lithuania, is it still in the orange zone?

“Green, yellow, red – by region. Green: no restrictions. Yellow-red: tests and quarantine. It is also a common questionnaire,” a senior EU diplomat reported unofficially on the content of the recommendations.

In accordance with its own recommendations, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control will prepare a regional map of EU countries (including Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland). Areas with fewer than 25 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 will be marked green. population in 14 days and less than 4 percent. The coronavirus tests are positive.

Orange is given to areas with fewer than 50 COVID-19 cases per 100,000. population in 14 days, but positive tests are 4 percent. or more. Or the number of new coronavirus cases is between 25 and 150, but the number of positive tests is less than 4 percent.

Locations marked in red where 50 or more cases of the virus are 100,000. population in 14 days and positive tests are more than 4 percent. or more. Or the total number of new COVID-19 cases is more than 150 in 14 days per 100,000. population. There is also a gray area: places where there is not enough information or less than 300 tests per 100,000. population.

According to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Lithuania’s morbidity rate, according to Monday’s data, reached 62.2 cases per 100,000. population.

Testing will not replace self-isolation

“Recommendations are based on September 4. The European Commission’s proposals, but the Member States give countries more flexibility than the Commission has proposed, “a European Commission official also said informally.

The Commission has proposed 3% positive tests and 250 tests per 100,000. population criterion, Member States have agreed on 4% and 300. However, the main difference is that the Commission proposed not to quarantine those arriving from the orange, but only to recommend a test. From red to gray, apply a 14-day quarantine or take the COVID-19 test. According to the Commission, testing should be a priority.

Member States have agreed not to impose restrictions on those who come from the “green” zone, but from the “orange-red-gray” zone, which is left to the discretion of the parties, that is, tests, tests and quarantine or only quarantine, although only testing is encouraged.

“The Commission prioritizes testing, but I don’t think member states agree,” said a Commission official. He also added that a pilot model for rapid airport tests was being prepared, which would soon be tested and accepted by all EU members.

Currently, Lithuania divides countries into just two types: COVID-19 affected and unaffected. As of Monday, the list of affected countries includes those EU countries with a 14-day coronavirus incidence rate of more than 10%. higher than in Lithuania, and additional criteria apply to third countries.

Who will not need to be quarantined?

The EU also does not agree to a uniform quarantine period.

“The quarantine – 7, 10 or 14 days – is not even a consensus among scientists on the issue,” said the senior EU diplomat, adding that in some countries it is difficult for inland regions to agree. about the topic.

“But we will continue working and we can change, complement the recommendations,” he said.

Upon arrival in Lithuania, a 14-day quarantine is required from the affected countries, while in Belgium a quarantine of only 7 days.

However, the EU guidelines provide for certain quarantine exemptions. Self-isolation should not be required for: doctors, border workers, seasonal workers; workers in the transport and services sector; patients traveling for medical reasons; children, students and apprentices who travel regularly; people traveling for essential family or business reasons; diplomats, staff of international organizations and persons invited by them whose physical presence is necessary; military, police and humanitarian aid workers; travelers in transit; Seafarers; journalists doing their job.

Won’t Poland lose the Lithuanians?

According to the recommendations, member states may require the completion of a passenger questionnaire and a common questionnaire should soon be established for all EU countries. It is also necessary to inform the other parties in advance of the restrictions that will be implemented in COVID-19.

It is important to mention that the recommendations establish that “the Member States must admit at all times their own nationals and citizens of the Union and their families residing in their territory and must guarantee a smooth transit through their territory. This is due to the fact that the events of spring, when Poland closed its borders and many Lithuanians trapped on the German-Polish border, will not happen again.

However, things are not so simple: border protection and health is a matter for the Member States.

“There is no guarantee that the state will not close the borders due to certain circumstances, as this is the competence of the states, but the probability is lower after this agreement,” said the senior EU diplomat.

In other words, the recommendations are not legally binding, but politically binding.