The ambassadors of the member states have given the green light by qualified majority for a recommendation to be formally adopted at ministerial level on Tuesday, according to a spokesperson.
The German spokesman, whose country currently holds the EU presidency, stated that this was an important step that would provide “more predictability and transparency” for travellers in the EU during the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to the recommendation, a country planning to introduce restrictive measures against travellers coming from an area deemed to be at risk should inform the member state in question, if possible 48 hours before they enter into force. The public should also be given 24 hours’ notice.
Three indicators are to be taken into account to assess the situation of an area:
Based on this data, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) will publish a weekly map of the regional situation in all EU countries. Four colours will determine the risk level of an area: green, orange, red and grey.
The recommendation stipulates that as a matter of principle member states should not refuse entry to their territory to travellers coming from another EU country – which Hungary currently does while making certain exceptions for Czech, Polish and Slovak citizens.
However, depending on the approved text, travellers coming from an orange, red or grey zone may be subject to quarantine and/or screening on arrival. And the results of the tests must be mutually recognised.
However, travellers performing functions considered “essential” are exempt from quarantine. The recommendation also provides for the introduction of a single European form to be filled in by travellers.
If the infection rate over 14 days is less than 25 (per 100,000 inhabitants) and the test positivity rate is less than 4%, an area is considered green, and no restrictions should apply.
A zone is orange if the infection rate is less than 50 and the test positivity rate is 4% or more, or if the infection rate is between 25 and 150 but the test positivity rate is less than 4%.
The area transitions to red if the infection rate is 50 or more and the test positivity rate is 4% or more, or if the infection rate is greater than 150.
If there is not enough information to assess these criteria or if the number of tests carried out is 300 or less per 100,000 inhabitants, the area is classified as “grey”.
Luxembourg expressed disappointment over the fact that the text “legitimises and endorses the restrictions rather than favouring a return to normality”.
The arrival of the pandemic led EU countries to take measures in a piecemeal fashion, which undermined the principle of free movement in the Schengen area and created chaos. But states remain free to follow the recommended measures.
More than 6.2 million cases of Covid-19 and nearly 240,000 deaths have been reported in Europe, where the spread of the coronavirus is on the rise again. Spain has declared the state of emergency in Madrid, Germany is considering tougher restrictions and France is considering returning to lockdowns on a local level.
