Subject: The EU shuts its borders to slow the coronavirus crisis Wed Mar 18, 2020 2:04 am
The European Union has formally agreed to temporarily close its external borders to all "non-essential" travel from third nations, as the bloc hopes to put out internal political fires that the coronavirus outbreak has lit across the continent. With immediate effect, the only things permitted to cross into the bloc will be goods, medical equipment and in some cases people deemed to be necessary to the EU's efforts to manage the coronavirus spread. The measures will remain in place for 30 days and will not apply to the United Kingdom, which despite having left the EU earlier this year is still in a transition period with the bloc.