The spreading of COVID-19 in the last days across the European continent led to the setting up (or proposal of setting up) of very strong measures by several EU MS at the EU level in view to contain the risk of transmission. The most visible examples of such policy are the travel bans imposed by several MS and the restoration of border controls (including with sanitary purposes) at internal and external borders of the EU. To reduce the impact of these measures on the EU internal market, the Commission has proposed on Monday, 16th of March to close the external borders of the EU for a duration for the time being of 30 days. The proposal targets first and foremost the movement of passengers at all external borders or the EU and should – in principle – not affect the transport and trade with the neighbouring countries.
