EU travelrestrictions lifted for this list of countries but was that a wise recommendation by the European Commission?

The EC recommended that the travel restrictions for non-essential travel should be lifted for travellers from the following countries. Check with the local embassy (VFS) if you can apply for a visa (if you need one) or when they will start processing applications again.

· Algeria
· Australia
· Canada
· Georgia
· Japan
· Montenegro
· Morocco
· New Zealand
· Rwanda
· Serbia
· South Korea
· Thailand
· Tunisia
· Uruguay
(China, subject to confirmation of reciprocity)

Residence in a third country for which the restrictions on non-essential travel have been lifted should be the determining factor (not nationality). This list will be reviewed each 2 weeks using the European Commission’s checklist that was published on 11/06/2020.

As regards the epidemiological situation, third countries should meet the following criteria, subject to regular review:

+ close to or below 16 new COVID-19 cases over the last 14 days and per 100,000 inhabitants, + the trend of new cases over the same period in comparison to the previous 14 days is stable or decreasing, + the overall response to COVID-19 taking into account available information on aspects such as testing, surveillance, contact tracing, containment, treatment and reporting.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

I do understand that airlines are lobbying to be able to fly loads of tourists around again but was this a smart move? This whole COVID pandemic was in my opinion caused by continued intercontinental travel while red flags were going up everywhere (No pun intended at the Chinese flag).

I am an immigration lawyer who earns her living from international travel but I am also a child with elderly parents and a former cancer patient with a lung with scars. Like many others the last three months I spent locked up in my house.

For a business meeting Zoom, Skype, Webex are all alternatives that might be a lot less fun than being able to fly business-class, sleep in an expensive hotel and dine out all on the boss's because you had to attend a meeting but apart from the huge carbon print is it really necessary? Could we refrain from doing that till 2021?

And for tourism? I read in the newspaper that only 6% of all people are planning to go abroad for a holiday. That bungalow parks and campings are fully booked. So do we need those non EU tourists to survive economically? 

Even essential travels can pose a risk as New Zealand saw when they admitted a British family who wanted to say goodbye to a dying relative but turned out to have COVID.

The phrase that we should trust our fellow people that they will not travel when feeling ill is in my opinion not realistic. When someone has booked a holiday of 600 euros and no annulment insurance do you really think that person will think "Oh I have a bit of a sore throat I better not board that plane and flush 600 euro down the drain"?

And then we are not even taking the non-symptomatic patients into account.

A Single Permit and a clear set of rights for legal migrant workers

Today the European Parliament adopted the so-called Single Permit Directive. The new legislation will simplify migration procedures and ensure that workers from countries outside the EU, legally residing in a Member State, will enjoy a common set of rights on equal footing with nationals.

Cecilia Malmström, European Commissioner responsible for Home Affairs, said: "I am very pleased that this Directive has finally been adopted, as it will certainly simplify the life of migrants applying to reside and work in the EU. The Directive will ensure a one-stop-shop system, thereby accelerating administrative procedures both for the future employer and the migrant. It will also ensure that migrant workers receive equal treatment with EU nationals as regards working conditions, recognition of educational and professional qualifications, taxation, vocational training and access to social security, including unemployment benefits and the transfer of acquired pensions.

This is an important step in facilitating legal migration, as well as in ensuring rights for migrants who are legally working and contributing to the cultural richness of our societies and the strength of our economy. For the first time in the area of legal migration, the Council and the Parliament have been involved as co-legislators on an equal basis. I am particularly glad that it resulted in a balanced compromise ensuring a rights-based approach. This is also promising in view of future legislation, including the Directives on seasonal workers and Intra-corporate transferees."

Background:

The Commission put forward its proposal in October 2007 (IP/07/1575).

Today the European Parliament endorsed the previous political agreement reached with the Council on the Directive.

Member States will have two years to implement the provisions of the Directive into their national legislation.

Bron: http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/11/901&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en


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