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Coronavirus impact: European Union to ban most foreign travellers for 30 days

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Coronavirus impact, European Union, ban, most, foreign travelers, 30 days

Brussels - The European Union also sealed off its borders to try to put the brakes on the ferocious spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

By AP

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Published: Wed 18 Mar 2020, 10:00 PM

Last updated: Thu 19 Mar 2020, 12:03 AM

European Union leaders agreed on Tuesday to immediately impose travel restrictions on most foreigners entering Europe for at least 30 days to limit the spread of Covid-19, and to set up fast-track transport lanes to keep vital medical equipment, food and goods flowing smoothly inside the bloc.
The European Union also sealed off its borders to try to put the brakes on the ferocious spread of the coronavirus pandemic, as the virus case count in Europe climbed to over 60,000 and with more than 2,700 people dead.
The EU sought over three hours of video talks to forge a united front against an illness that is also wreaking economic havoc. "We reaffirmed the need to work together and do everything necessary to tackle the crisis and its consequences," European Council president Charles Michel told reporters. He said the 27 EU countries agreed to impose border restrictions on tourism and non-essential business "as fast as possible".
The plan exempts long-term EU residents, diplomats, some healthcare and transport workers.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said her proposal for the restrictions "got a lot of support by the member states. It's up to them now to implement. They said they will immediately do that".
Chancellor Angela Merkel said the leaders agreed in a conference call to an entry ban with "very, very limited exceptions", and that Germany would start implementing it immediately.
Merkel said citizens of Switzerland, Liechtenstein, the United Kingdom and Norway are exempt. The EU leaders also agreed to coordinate the repatriation of EU citizens stranded outside the bloc, she said.

 


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