On Wednesday 18 March, the European Commission once again called on the Member States of the Schengen area of free movement to apply the guidelines presented on Monday, which aim to smooth the movement of lorries carrying essential goods (medicines, food) and to enable European citizens to return home.
Eric Mamer, the Commission spokesman, pointed out that the Member States were obliged to apply these guidelines since they had been “broadly approved” the day before at a European summit held by videoconference (see EUROPE 12448/1).
On Wednesday morning, the media reported widespread traffic jams both on the Hungarian and Polish-German borders and difficulties for Baltic citizens to return home
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen discussed these difficulties with Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, said Home Affairs Spokesman Adalbert Jahnz. According to Mr Mamer, Member States “must understand that it is in their interest to cooperate”. This fluidity of movement in Schengen is “essential” to ensure the delivery of essential goods and health equipment, the two spokespersons insisted.
By midday on Wednesday, the Commission had received notifications of border crossing restrictions from 11 Schengen Member States, with Finland notifying in turn, and from two non-EU countries associated with Schengen. Every Wednesday, Member States’ border experts meet with the Commission to take stock. And at the end of the afternoon there was also a virtual meeting of the Ministers of the Interior and Health, the results of which were not yet known at the time of our closure.
What is the fate of British citizens in the EU?
In addition, questions are being raised in the Schengen-area countries about the fate of British citizens whose government has not adopted the containment measures chosen by Italy, Spain, France and Belgium.
Due to the post-Brexit transition period which runs until the end of December, the British are not affected by the EU travel restrictions which the Commission has proposed and which Member States – except Ireland – unanimously approved on Tuesday evening.
The French Prime Minister, Édouard Philippe, had on Tuesday raised the possibility of extending restrictions on movement and travel on French territory against British citizens.
The Chair of the European Parliament Transport Committee, Karima Delli (Greens/EFA, France), also took up the issue and wrote to Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday.
“In view of the lack of effective measures taken by the United Kingdom [...] I urge you to consult urgently with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the World Health Organisation to assess the appropriateness of temporarily closing the sea, rail and air borders of the Schengen area to persons residing or staying in the United Kingdom”, the MEP said.
“If a positive opinion is given, I would like you to coordinate very quickly with the authorities of the EU Member States concerned, in particular France, to facilitate this temporary closure of the borders. Such an assessment could, of course, be revised if relevant measures were taken by the UK authorities”, she added.
The UK will not apply EU entry restrictions
On Wednesday, the Commission was not in a position to give a full overview of the Member States ready to apply the measure restricting non-essential travel to the EU by third-country nationals for 30 days. However, it stated that the United Kingdom had indicated its refusal to implement this measure.
Ireland, linked by a common travel zone with the United Kingdom, might also not be able to apply this provision.
Switzerland, which is associated with Schengen, has also announced that it will follow this recommendation, but for a period of 3 months.
The Ministers of the Interior and Health were also to discuss the application of this restrictive measure. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)