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European Union, home of borderless travel, to shut borders
By Al Goodman, Laura Perez Maestro, Sheena McKenzie and Tara John, CNN
Updated 2002 GMT (0402 HKT) March 16, 2020
Madrid (CNN)The European Union will close its borders to all non-essential travel as it attempts to contain the ongoing spread of the coronavirus on the continent.
"The less travel, the more we can contain the virus," von der Leyen said during a press conference, following a video conference between G7 leaders. She appeared confident that the European Council would sign off on the restriction in a Tuesday vote.
Hours later, French President Emmanuel Macron declared "war" on the virus during a national address, banning all social events across the country -- including family gatherings.
Macron said those who have gathered in public places in recent days have not been respecting previous measures to limit the outbreak's spread in France, which as of Monday had 5,380 confirmed cases and 127 deaths, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU travel restrictions would be in place "for an initial period of 30 days," and could be prolonged.
Family members of European nationals, essential staff, such as doctors and nurses, and people transporting goods to the EU will be exempted, she added.
BBC: European Union to shut borders - Macron
In his press conference just now, the French president announced that the European Union would be closing its external borders on Tuesday.
We knew this drastic measure was set to be discussed by the EU's 27 leaders but were not expecting Mr Macron to announce it this evening.
It remains unclear if all states have formally agreed to it.
Earlier, the EU Commission chief Ursula Von der Leyen said she was proposing temporary restriction on "non-essential travel to the EU" for an initial period of 30 days.
She said EU citizens and long-term residents and their family members would be exempt, along with workers who commute across borders, those delivering goods and those involved in the fight against the coronavirus.
The UK government would not be obliged to apply the ban, and UK citizens would not be affected by it, says the BBC's Brussels correspondent Adam Fleming.
The UK has left the EU but is currently in a transition period.
Several EU states including Germany and Spain have already announced border closures with EU neighbours.
France Issues Lockdown As Coronavirus Rages Through Europe. Here’s How Other Countries Are Slowing It Down.
Topline: France on Saturday became the latest European country to close all non-essential businesses to combat the coronavirus pandemic—it joins Italy, which instituted a country-wide lockdown on Wednesday, and Spain, which confirmed its own 15-day lockdown this weekend, in enacting official measures to enforce “social distancing” practices to deter the spread of the virus.
By Al Goodman, Laura Perez Maestro, Sheena McKenzie and Tara John, CNN
Updated 2002 GMT (0402 HKT) March 16, 2020
Madrid (CNN)The European Union will close its borders to all non-essential travel as it attempts to contain the ongoing spread of the coronavirus on the continent.
"The less travel, the more we can contain the virus," von der Leyen said during a press conference, following a video conference between G7 leaders. She appeared confident that the European Council would sign off on the restriction in a Tuesday vote.
Hours later, French President Emmanuel Macron declared "war" on the virus during a national address, banning all social events across the country -- including family gatherings.
Macron said those who have gathered in public places in recent days have not been respecting previous measures to limit the outbreak's spread in France, which as of Monday had 5,380 confirmed cases and 127 deaths, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU travel restrictions would be in place "for an initial period of 30 days," and could be prolonged.
Family members of European nationals, essential staff, such as doctors and nurses, and people transporting goods to the EU will be exempted, she added.
BBC: European Union to shut borders - Macron
In his press conference just now, the French president announced that the European Union would be closing its external borders on Tuesday.
We knew this drastic measure was set to be discussed by the EU's 27 leaders but were not expecting Mr Macron to announce it this evening.
It remains unclear if all states have formally agreed to it.
Earlier, the EU Commission chief Ursula Von der Leyen said she was proposing temporary restriction on "non-essential travel to the EU" for an initial period of 30 days.
She said EU citizens and long-term residents and their family members would be exempt, along with workers who commute across borders, those delivering goods and those involved in the fight against the coronavirus.
The UK government would not be obliged to apply the ban, and UK citizens would not be affected by it, says the BBC's Brussels correspondent Adam Fleming.
The UK has left the EU but is currently in a transition period.
Several EU states including Germany and Spain have already announced border closures with EU neighbours.
France Issues Lockdown As Coronavirus Rages Through Europe. Here’s How Other Countries Are Slowing It Down.
Topline: France on Saturday became the latest European country to close all non-essential businesses to combat the coronavirus pandemic—it joins Italy, which instituted a country-wide lockdown on Wednesday, and Spain, which confirmed its own 15-day lockdown this weekend, in enacting official measures to enforce “social distancing” practices to deter the spread of the virus.
