The European Union plans to prolong until July 1 a ban on most travel to the bloc as member nations first remove internal border controls triggered by the coronavirus pandemic.
“Many” EU governments on Friday supported renewing for a third time a restriction on outside arrivals, said European Home-Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson. The curb on non-essential travel to the bloc is currently due to lapse on June 15 after being introduced in mid-March for 30 days and extended twice as Europe stepped up the fight against the virus.
The ban on non-essential travel to the EU has showcased the potential for voluntary coordination among member countries under the aegis of the commission, which formally has no decision-making power over the matter. Health policy in Europe is primarily a national responsibility.