(TAN): The European Union (EU) is closing its borders, putting a 30-day ban on nonessential travel for non-EU citizens into the 27-country bloc to stem the spread of COVID-19, reports said.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced the decision, adding that people within the member nations can still travel between those countries, although certain limits will be put in place, as per reports.
According to reports, medical staff, medicine, and goods are exempt from the ban; they will be able to move across external borders. In fact, while the main objective of the ban is to slow the spread of the pandemic, it is also aimed at reducing pressure on health systems, reports said.
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“We need to ensure passage of medicine and food stamps, and citizens must be able to travel to their home countries,” European Council President Charles Michel said in a press conference.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said there would be “green lanes” or “fast-track lanes” at the borders “mainly for the flow of goods”.
“We launched today public procurement for gloves and masks and yesterday for respiratory ventilators. 24 member states are participating,” she added.
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“We are ready to do everything that is required. We will not hesitate to take additional measures as the situation evolves,” von der Leyen said.
The regulations will go into effect as soon as the national governments can prepare themselves, as per reports.
Some of the countries that suffered massive blows from the coronavirus outbreak such as Italy, Spain, France and Germany are part of the EU.
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