The European Commission recommended a joint approach from EU members after individual countries imposed emergency restrictions.
The most dramatic action came from France, which closed its border to lorries crossing the Channel, leading to more than 2,800 HGVs being trapped in Kent.
The EU-wide approach recommended by the commission would allow essential travel, and transit of passengers should be facilitated.
Flight and train bans “should be discontinued given the need to ensure essential travel and avoid supply chain disruptions”, the commission said.
EU justice commissioner Didier Reynders said: “Member states should take co-ordinated action to discourage non-essential travel between the UK and the EU.”
Crisis talks with France will continue in an effort to resume trade flows across the Channel amid warnings that the border must be running again by Wednesday to avoid disruption to food supplies.
More than 1,500 lorries are backed up in Kent, unable to make the crossing to France, with drivers having spent a second night sleeping in their cabs.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said the Government is “speaking constantly” with France to achieve a resolution “in both our interests” to get freight moving again.
But she defended the Government’s handling of the pandemic, insisting ministers had been “ahead of the curve” in tackling coronavirus.
Banning UK travellers is right thing, says World Health Organisation
“No one is safe until everyone is safe.”
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Travel bans to contain the spread of the mutant virus are “prudent”, the World Health Organisation’s European chief has said.
A meeting has also been called of WHO’s European member states to discuss the UK strain.
The European Commission recommended a joint approach from EU members after individual countries imposed emergency restrictions. The most dramatic action came from France, which closed its border to lorries crossing the Channel, leading to more than 1,500 HGVs being trapped in Kent. Recommendation by @EU Commission to ensure coordinated approach to travel restrictions: ➡️Non-essential travel discouraged, but transit should be facilitated.➡️Flight & train bans should stop: need to avoid supply chain disruption.https://t.co/4oSbI7MbCo#coronaviruspic.twitter.com/hLLKTxruOD The EU-wide approach recommended by the commission would allow essential travel, and transit of passengers should be facilitated. Flight and train bans “should be discontinued given the need to ensure essential travel and avoid supply chain disruptions”, the commission said.
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Dr Anthony Fauci has said he did not recommend the US join other countries in banning travel from the UK over the new coronavirus variant detected in southern England.
The top US infectious disease expert said American health officials should “without a doubt keep an eye on it,” but added: “We don’t want to overreact.”
Dr Fauci told CNN he would advise against suspending flights from the UK should the matter come up at the news White House coronavirus task force meeting. Follow it carefully, but don’t overreact to it,” he said of the new Covid-19 variant.