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The European Commission on Tuesday called on six member states to relax unilaterally imposed border restrictions to combat Covid-19, in an attempt to achieve a less restrictive coordinated approach to the movement of goods and people within the bloc community. Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Sweden and Hungary have ten days to justify the restrictions, which Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders says goes “too far,” according to Reuters.
In an attempt to stop the spread of new strains of coronavirus, nine EU countries have re-established border controls (Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Hungary, Austria, Portugal, Finland, Norway and Spain). However, the Commission focuses on the six, which have imposed additional traffic restrictions.
This includes Belgium, where all non-essential travel to the country and abroad are banned from the end of January. The European Commission considers the measure problematic, extended until April 1, since it does not take into account the epidemiological situation of the country from which the traveler comes or is traveling.
At the same time, Germany is applying filters to the Czech and Austrian Tyrolean borders, a measure that was extended last week until the beginning of March. Cross-border workers and truck drivers can only pass if they have a very recent negative PCR test. The move prompted Austria to introduce border controls with Italy, causing major blockades for months.
Six-country border restrictions “go too far”
EU countries agreed earlier this month that while they are free to impose travel bans to protect public health, freight transport must be protected and that if restrictive measures cause disruptions, the restrictions must be lifted.
“Going back to a coordinated approach to all measures taken with regard to the free movement of people and goods in the European Union is a necessity,” the European official stressed.
In the absence of a coordinated approach from the 27 countries, “we run the risk of divisions and disruptions to free movement, as well as supply chains, which we have seen in recent weeks,” said a spokesman for the European Commission.
Also read: The European Commission urges EU countries to avoid border closures and not follow the examples of Germany and Belgium
The six European countries defend their decisions to impose severe border restrictions
Meanwhile, the German Minister for Europe, Michael Roth, defends the country’s decisions to impose stricter border restrictions, arguing that neighboring countries have reported cases of new strains of coronavirus and wants to stop their spread through Germany.
“These measures obviously create massive pressure in border regions, on cross-border workers and on freight transport and the single market, but protecting our citizens is paramount,” the German minister said before speaking with his European counterparts.
He also pointed out that the situation at his country’s borders with the Czech Republic and Austria had significantly calmed down after consultations and assured that all measures taken by Germany comply with the rules of the Schengen agreement.
“First of all, I want to reject the accusation that I did not comply with EU legislation. We have clearly explained to our partners that we want to eliminate this border control regime as soon as possible,” Roth also said, according to dpa, quoted by Agerpres.
At the same time, his French counterpart Clement Beaune told Reuters that Berlin and Paris had given themselves 48 hours to coordinate certain health measures, such as increased testing in the Moselle region, to keep that part of the border open to Workers.
Sources in Berlin also say that Germany will try to avoid tough restrictions on the country’s borders.
Publisher: IC
