No travel ban for corona virus yet, but EU is preparing

EP Plenary session - EU Pollinators Initiative

The European Commission has warned against hasty and ill-considered measures against the corona virus, and has called on the EU countries not to act solo.

The European Commission says that while health issues and public transport are national competences of each country, it points out that far-reaching decisions can be better taken jointly.

The European Commission is thus responding to Austria's decision last Saturday evening not to allow the international train from Northern Italy to Southern Germany to pass through the country, because it could potentially contain infected travelers. The train was allowed to continue after a few hours.

Measures taken by EU countries against the coronavirus must be proportionate, coordinated and based on scientific advice. Restricting the free movement of persons is a competence of the Member States, but such decisions must be taken in consultation, said EU Commissioner Janez Lenarčič (Crisis Management) and Stella Kyriakides (Health) on Monday during a press conference.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) have not yet recommended new travel or trade restrictions. The two institutions are going to Italy on Tuesday to map the situation. Emergency scenarios are being prepared, but coordinated suspension of the free movement of people in the Schengen zone is not currently under discussion.

The European Union is going to release € 232 million to prevent the virus from spreading. 114 million goes to the World Health Organization to improve the ability of countries to cope with the virus. In addition, 100 million, almost half of which comes from the pharmaceutical industry, is being released for the development of a vaccine.

The risk of an outbreak of the new corona virus occurring in Italy in other European countries is "moderate to high", ECDC warns. The number of cases of infection In the north of Italy, the last few days expanded rapidly. Four people died and more than 150 people were infected with the Covid-19 virus.

The government in Rome closed a number of places from the outside world. Several European countries have issued warnings to tourists and travelers that they should avoid in northern Italy.