European Commission appeals to allow for essential travel from the UK
The EC has urged member states to reconsider blanket travel bans despite news of a new coronavirus strain spreading in the UK
Since a new virus strain reported in the UK immediately spurred some 60 countries to close their borders to UK and Northern Ireland, leaving UK and European Union (EU) citizens stranded just days before the Christmas period, the European Commission (EC) has called on member states to lift travel bans imposed to allow for essential travel purposes.
The majority of the 27 EU member states have now closed their borders to the UK, as has Ireland and countries further afield, including Japan, Hong Kong, India, Canada, Argentine, countries in the Middle East such as Saudi Arabia and countries in Africa such as Sudan.
Currently, some nations are operating repatriation flights to retrieve some of their stranded nationals. However, appealing to the EU member states, the EC insisted that while non-essential travel to and from the UK ‘should be discouraged’, ‘essential travel and transit of passengers should be facilitated’.
“Given the current uncertainties and in light of the precautionary principle, member states should take co-ordinated action to discourage non-essential travel between the UK and the EU,” said Didier Reynders, European Commissioner for Justice. “At the same time, blanket travel bans should not prevent thousands of EU and UK citizens from returning to their homes.”
The EC has suggested that for those travelling for essential purposes, mandatory Covid testing should be carried out, such as requirements for negative PCR tests at airports.
Some countries, including France, have since eased up on travel restrictions, and, like many other countries, it has implemented strict Covid-19 testing protocols. A holistic and widely available travel pass, the likes of which is being designed by the IATA, is in high demand. For now, travel for UK citizens is looking extremely inhibited.