The European Union will impose an entry ban on travellers from outside the bloc for 30 days to battle the spread of the coronavirus, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Tuesday.
Member states “agreed to impose an entry ban” into the bloc, with only nationals of EFTA countries and Britain exempt from the restriction, said Merkel.
“That should apply for 30 days. Germany will implement it immediately,” added the leader of Europe’s biggest economy.
Special exceptions will be made for European citizens and residents coming home, although it’s expected that some countries will ask them to self-isolate for two weeks.
With countries severely curtailing travel to prevent COVID-19 contagion, Germany had earlier issued a warning against travel worldwide.
The bloc is taking “coordinated action to bring back stranded travellers,” said Merkel.
“The union and its member states will do whatever it takes,” said European Council President Charles Michel.
Earlier, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said that thousands of Germans were stranded abroad as airlines slashed flights and borders closed.
Several controls on internal borders within the EU have already been introduced in a bid to stall the virus spread.
On Monday Germany introduced tighter border controls with five countries, including France and Denmark.
Source: www.thelocal.dk
