Documents > European Union > Current topics > The European Commission issued a recommendation in the view of a new coronavirus variant The European Commission issued a recommendation in the view of a new coronavirus variant22/12/2020 17:24:06|Current topics In the view of a new COVID-19 variant spreading rapidly across the United Kingdom, the European Commission issued Recommendation on a coordinated approach to travel and transport measures. It builds on the previously adopted Council Recommendation of 13 October on a coordinated approach to free movement in response to the COVID19-pandemic and other guidelines adopted by the Commission, especially Green Lanes Communication. The Recommendation was adopted during the period of final negotiations between the EU and the United Kingdom on the form of the Withdrawal Agreement. Until 31 December 2020, 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. After the end of the transition period, the UK will be subject to Council Recommendation on the temporary restriction on non-essential travel into the EU and the possible lifting of such restriction. However, to prevent the new COVID-19 variant from spreading, the Commission highly recommends to discourage all non-essential travels to and from the UK until further notice. However, Union citizens and UK citizens travelling to their Member State or country of residence should be exempted from further temporary restrictions provided that they undergo a test or quarantine. Travellers with an essential function, e.g. medical staff, should be required to undergo a test, but should not be required to undergo quarantine while exercising this essential function. To ensure uninterrupted flow of transport chains, all cross-border workers and transport staff should be exempted from the restrictions. In compliance with Commission Recommendation, the Czech Republic prefers a unified approach meaning to renew aviation and other transport connection between the UK and the EU. The Czech Republic does not consider a sufficient measure the obligation to undergo a rapid antigen test or PCR test within 72 hours prior to departure. A standard procedure should be applied, i.e. undergo a quarantine and subsequently a test on 5th – 7th day. You can find all precautionary measures here. The Recommendation is currently available only in English. Back to article list Previous articleNext article
In the view of a new COVID-19 variant spreading rapidly across the United Kingdom, the European Commission issued Recommendation on a coordinated approach to travel and transport measures. It builds on the previously adopted Council Recommendation of 13 October on a coordinated approach to free movement in response to the COVID19-pandemic and other guidelines adopted by the Commission, especially Green Lanes Communication. The Recommendation was adopted during the period of final negotiations between the EU and the United Kingdom on the form of the Withdrawal Agreement. Until 31 December 2020, 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. After the end of the transition period, the UK will be subject to Council Recommendation on the temporary restriction on non-essential travel into the EU and the possible lifting of such restriction. However, to prevent the new COVID-19 variant from spreading, the Commission highly recommends to discourage all non-essential travels to and from the UK until further notice. However, Union citizens and UK citizens travelling to their Member State or country of residence should be exempted from further temporary restrictions provided that they undergo a test or quarantine. Travellers with an essential function, e.g. medical staff, should be required to undergo a test, but should not be required to undergo quarantine while exercising this essential function. To ensure uninterrupted flow of transport chains, all cross-border workers and transport staff should be exempted from the restrictions. In compliance with Commission Recommendation, the Czech Republic prefers a unified approach meaning to renew aviation and other transport connection between the UK and the EU. The Czech Republic does not consider a sufficient measure the obligation to undergo a rapid antigen test or PCR test within 72 hours prior to departure. A standard procedure should be applied, i.e. undergo a quarantine and subsequently a test on 5th – 7th day. You can find all precautionary measures here. The Recommendation is currently available only in English.