European Union May Make Domestic and International Travels Difficult

The European Union may make domestic and international travels difficult. New cases are likely to complicate travel.

The European Union (EU) recommended that non-mandatory domestic and international travels be made difficult due to the increase in the number of new types of coronavirus (Covid-19) cases in member countries and the detection of species with mutations that spread faster. The European Union (EU) Commission announced that it has proposed some changes in the criteria for the coordination of internal and external travel to member countries. According to the decisions taken, due to the increasing number of cases in the new type of coronavirus epidemic and the types of mutated viruses that are not yet known about, a strict deterrence from non-essential travel will be applied. As one of the tightening steps, the map showing the risk zones within the EU will be updated. The "dark red" color will be added to the risk map, which is prepared with the data collected by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) on a weekly basis and contains green, orange, red and gray colors, to indicate the regions where the virus spreads very quickly. The dark red color will refer to places where new cases have been over 500 per 100,000 in the last 14 days. From the regions determined in dark red, tests will be made before travel and quarantine will be applied after arrival. Those living in border areas, those who frequently travel to cross-border areas for family or business reasons will be exempt from the restriction. In addition, logistics activities will continue to avoid disruptions in the supply chain and product delivery. Member countries will take additional measures for passengers coming from outside the EU. Those who travel for compulsory reasons or from countries without restrictions will be asked to submit a negative Covid-19 test performed 72 hours before their entry into the EU at the earliest. EU citizens and family members will be allowed to take these tests after entry. Despite the negative test result, 14 days of quarantine will be applied to those coming from countries where the more easily transmitted type of the virus is detected. Additional Covid-19 tests can also be applied to these people. Those entering the EU from 3rd countries will be required to fill in a passenger information form. In this context, EU countries will develop a common form. The said EU Commission proposals are in the form of advice to member countries.       This article has contributions of Bloomberg HT.