Ursula von der Leyen condemned border closures and travel bans in Europe

(Patria) – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned some European countries for introducing travel bans and closing borders as measures to combat the coronavirus, emphasizing that the 'single market must function'.

In addition to the US, which imposed a ban on travelers from the Schengen zone, Austria, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic have banned border crossings for everyone traveling from Italy or without a health certificate.

Von der Leyen emphasized that 'it is not good when member states act unilaterally because it always causes a domino effect, and prevents urgently needed medical equipment from reaching patients and hospitals', and added that such decisions amount to 'reintroducing internal borders now when solidarity between member states is needed'.

The President announced new EU guidelines for health checks at border crossings, and said she understands the pressure on member states to protect their citizens.

- Certain controls may be justified, but the World Health Organization does not see any effect of a general travel ban, said Ursula von der Leyen, explaining that such bans 'have strong social and economic consequences, disrupt people's lives and businesses', and that every measure must be 'proportional'.