On 17 March, EU leaders agreed on a proposal by the European Commission President to introduce a 30-day restriction (the deadline may be extended as needed) to the European Union +1 area (which includes all Schengen Member States and Associated Member States: Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein, as well as Ireland and the United Kingdom, in case of a decision by the two countries to join this restriction) for “non vital” trips.
- This restriction will not affect the following stateless persons: long-term residents;
- Family members of EU citizens,
- medical staff, healthcare professionals,
- border guards,
- persons engaged in the carriage of goods,
- lawyers, staff of international organizations, military personnel and humanitarian professionals in the performance of their professional duties;
- transit passengers, including those who have been repatriated with consular assistance;
- persons traveling on matters of family importance;
- Persons in need of international protection or other humanitarian reasons.
EU Member States themselves must ensure that this restriction is implemented.
The proposed restriction will not apply on citizens of 4 non-EU Member States of Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein as the Associated Member of the United Kingdom and the Schengen Area. It should be noted that the United Kingdom has not yet announced a ban on its entry from other countries.
