Called upon a few days ago by the Transport Ministers to draw up an emergency plan for the sector in the event of a pandemic (see EUROPE 12587/14), the European Commission has for the time being a few suggestions aimed at limiting the obstacles to the transport of goods and passengers in the Union.
On Wednesday 28 October, the institution detailed a series of additional health measures (see other news), some of which directly concern transport.
In particular, it proposes to extend the green lanes approach to rail, air and sea freight - a system initiated in March (see EUROPE 12452/14), which consists of setting up dedicated lanes for lorries transporting essential goods - to rail, air and sea freight.
In this way, the Commission intends to avoid that the freedom to provide cross-border services and the free movement of goods and workers in the sector - seafarers in particular (see EUROPE 12465/7) - are again hampered if border controls are reintroduced (see EUROPE 12449/1).
The institution is committed to ensuring “that more than 90% of border crossings continue to be fluid at all times, with a crossing time of less than 15 minutes”.
Passenger transport. It also says that testing guidelines for public health authorities, airlines and airports are being prepared by the European Aviation Safety Agency and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control to “facilitate the arrival of passengers” throughout the EU.
In addition, a mobile application of its Re-open EU website, compiling practical information for travellers (see EUROPE 12506/32), is expected to be launched in the coming weeks.
However, for the proper functioning of both the Commission and the website, the Commission would like to remind the Member States to submit “in good time” information on updated health measures as well as regional and not only national data. (Original version in French by Agathe Cherki)