EU Commission Recommends Member States Resume Flights and Train Services from the UK

EU recommends resuming air and train services for smooth medical personnel and goods movement
"UK entry must be allowed during Brexit transition period"
France to reopen border crossings with the UK from the 23rd

On the 21st (local time), travelers are waiting for the train to London at the Eurostar terminal of Paris North Station. Earlier, as a new variant of the coronavirus (COVID-19) spread in the UK, France completely banned travel across the border with the UK on the 21st. Paris, France = AP. Yonhap News Agency

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Tae-min] The European Union (EU) Commission has recommended resuming essential personnel and cargo movement to and from the United Kingdom. However, it requested that other non-essential travel continue to be restricted.

On the 22nd (local time), the EU Commission presented a recommendation stating, “A coordinated approach among EU member states is necessary regarding travel and transport bans imposed by each country in response to the spread of new coronavirus (COVID-19) variants within the UK.”

The EU Commission recommended allowing the return of EU member state citizens residing in the UK and UK citizens residing in EU member states. It added that all non-essential travel to and from the UK should be restricted until further notice.

In particular, it requested the resumption of flights and train services to allow essential personnel, such as healthcare workers, to move or transit freely. It also stated that cargo movement should not be hindered to ensure timely distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. Regarding quarantine measures for essential personnel traveling to and from the UK, the Commission emphasized mandatory testing for infection within three days prior to travel but stressed that essential activities must be guaranteed and quarantine should not be imposed.

The UK, which left the EU in January, is still guaranteed free movement within EU member states until the end of this month, when the Brexit transition period ends. The EU Commission stated, “Only after the transition period ends will the UK be considered a third country, and this recommendation will apply,” adding, “In principle, member states should not refuse entry to people coming from the UK until the end of this month, before the transition period ends.”

However, EU member states are not obligated to follow this recommendation. The recommendation is intended to establish common rules within the EU, but border control is determined by national policies. Therefore, each member state may consider this recommendation but establish its own policies.

In response, France announced plans to resume border crossings with the UK from midnight on the 23rd. Entry will be allowed only for those with a “legitimate reason” to visit France who have tested negative within 72 hours. After learning that the COVID-19 variant virus was rapidly spreading in the UK, France restricted entry and exit with the UK starting from the 21st.

Meanwhile, many EU member states including Germany, Italy, and Spain continue to maintain travel restrictions such as banning flights and trains to and from the UK to block the influx of variant viruses. The South Korean government has also decided to temporarily suspend flights with the UK until the 31st.

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