Non-EU travellers have begun being turned away at European
borders as the bloc implements a travel ban for the next 30 days aimed at limiting
the spread of the coronavirus.
The measure is expected to apply to 26 EU states, as well as
Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, though it will not affect UK
citizens.
It comes as the World Health Organization said more than
185,000 people have been infected with Covid-19 worldwide.
The ban applies to all non-EU nationals trying to enter the
bloc, except long-term residents, family members of EU nationals, diplomats,
cross-border and healthcare workers and people transporting goods.
Many European countries, such as Germany, Spain, Hungary and
Finland, had already started closing their borders and restricting travel for
foreign nationals in a bid to stop the spread of the deadly virus. European
Commission president Ursula von der Leyen then proposed a unified EU approach
on a recommendation by French president Emmanuel Macron.
The measure still has to be implemented by member states,
but news from the BBC said passengers arriving on a flight from Turkey were turned
away at Frankfurt am Main airport last night.