Ursula Von del Leyen, President of the European Commission, March 13, 2020. – JOHN THYS / AFP
The President of the European CommissionUrsula von der Leyen warned this Friday against border closings decided by some EU countries to fight the pandemic of
coronavirus.
“General travel bans are not considered to be very effective by the World Health Organization,” said the head of the European executive at a press conference. “In addition, they have important social and economic consequences, they disrupt the lives of people and businesses,” she added. “Any measure taken must be proportionate”.
Closure and entry restrictions
German leader pleaded for health control measures. These “can take place at external (EU) or internal borders, or in the territory of member states,” she said. EU recommendations on the matter are to be presented to the 27 interior ministers meeting in Brussels on Friday.
The Czech and Slovak governments announced Thursday the virtual closure of their borders to foreigners, while Austria and Hungary have imposed entry restrictions, targeting in particular Italy, the European country hardest hit by the pandemic. The President of the European Commission also advocated “solidarity” between countries of the Union for access to protective equipment against the new coronavirus.
Send the material where it is needed
“It is not good when member states take unilateral measures because it always creates a domino effect and it prevents patients, hospitals from having access to the equipment they urgently need,” he said. she says.
She was referring to restrictions or prohibitions protective equipment exports, decided in particular by Germany and France, having aroused criticism within the EU. “We have spoken to the member states, so that they adapt (their measures) to ensure that the equipment in Europe is well targeted and that it goes where the needs are, to patients, doctors, hospitals, staff health, “said Ursula von der Leyen.
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