EU 27 Countries Agree on First-Ever 'Ban on Foreign Entry'... No Entry to EU for 30 Days

US and EU Travel Ban Retaliation...Concerns Over Atlantic Alliance Rift
Australia Imposes Nationwide Travel Restrictions..."First Time Since WWI"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The world is coming to a halt due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection. As countries close their borders to block the influx of the virus, human exchanges are being cut off. Following the European Union (EU)'s joint agreement on travel bans, Australia and New Zealand in Oceania have also begun to raise the threshold for entry and exit.

According to foreign media including the AP News, on the 17th (local time), the leaders of the 27 EU member states agreed on travel bans to block the entry of foreigners during a video conference to discuss COVID-19 countermeasures. This is the first time that all EU member states have jointly agreed to implement travel bans on foreigners. Charles Michel, President of the European Council, said at a press conference held immediately after the meeting, "We have agreed to strengthen borders," adding, "We will temporarily restrict non-essential travel within the EU." According to this agreement, foreigners from regions outside the EU member states, excluding the United Kingdom, will not be allowed to visit Europe for tourism or non-essential business reasons for the next 30 days. Exceptions include long-term residents of EU member states, diplomats, immediate family members of member state nationals, medical and transportation personnel, among others.

Australia also announced a complete ban on its citizens' departure starting from the 18th to prevent the spread of COVID-19. According to AFP News, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said at a press conference, "This is the first time such a situation has occurred in Australia since World War I." The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade posted a notice on the 'SafeTravel' website on the same day, urging its citizens to refrain from unnecessary travel and advising those traveling abroad to return home quickly.

Individual countries in Europe have already announced travel bans, and the United States is also blocking entry from Europe. These measures are in response to the uncontrollable spread of COVID-19. On this day, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Italy exceeded 30,000, and in Spain, it surpassed 10,000. More than 70,000 confirmed cases have been reported across Europe so far.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, explained, "Travel bans will be implemented immediately by each country," adding, "This measure may be extended as necessary." Concerns are also rising that the Atlantic alliance may further fracture as this is interpreted as a retaliatory measure against the United States' ban on foreigners who have stayed in EU countries. On the 12th (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump announced a travel ban on EU countries in a national address, which provoked strong opposition from the European Commission. At that time, the European Commission issued a statement condemning the U.S. travel ban as a "unilateral measure" taken without prior consultation. Trade disruptions are also inevitable, fueling fears of a recession.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.