The European Commission has called on European countries to discontinue bans on UK flights, trains and entry that have been implemented in the last few days as a result of the spread of a new, more transmissible variant of the Covid-19 virus in the UK.
The call comes in a recommendation adopted by the Commission to provide a coordinated European approach to the crisis.
Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, said: “Given the current uncertainties and in light of the precautionary principle, member states should take coordinated action to discourage non-essential travel between the UK and the EU. At the same time, blanket travel bans should not prevent thousands of EU and UK citizens from returning to their homes.
"While precautions are needed to contain the spread of the new coronavirus variant, with today's recommendation, we therefore ensure that the restrictions are coordinated and provide for the necessary exemptions for citizens and residents returning home and other essential travellers.”
The Commission said that until the end of December, free movement rules still apply to the UK. This means that Member States should not in principle refuse the entry of persons travelling from the UK.
For essential travel, the Commission has recommended that UK and EU citizens travelling to their member state or country of residence as well as third-country nationals that enjoy EU free movement rights should be exempted from further temporary restrictions provided that they undergo a test or quarantine.
It also recommended that essential travellers, for instance medical staff, should be required to undergo a test (RT-PCR test or a rapid antigen test within 72 hours prior to departure), but should not be required to undergo quarantine while exercising this essential function.
The Commission added, “Given the need to ensure essential travel and transit home as described in the recommendation, any prohibition of transport services, such as flight or train bans, should be discontinued.”