EU says border closure ‘not the best way’ to stem new coronavirus

Young journalists club

News ID: 45465
Publish Date: 9:30 - 17 March 2020
Tehran 17 March_Closure of borders is “not the best way” to contain the spread of the new coronavirus inside the European Union and goes against the EU principle of freedom of movement, says the bloc’s executive arm.

EU says border closure ‘not the best way’ to stem new coronavirusTEHRAN, Young Journalists Club(YJC)_The European Commission said on Monday that such a move was "not necessarily" the best way to stem the deadly virus outbreak and it was the member states' responsibility to safeguard the health of citizens.

The commission stressed in a note to the 27-member trade union that the EU countries must avoid obstructing the food and medicine supply lines amid border restrictions they impose to contain the disease.

"The coronavirus crisis has highlighted the challenge of protecting the health of the population whilst avoiding disruptions to the free movement of persons, and the delivery of goods and essential services across Europe," the note said, adding, “The implementation of... checks of persons and goods should be governed by the principle of solidarity between member states.”

The commission said suspending freedom of movement for people, goods and services — fundamental principles of the EU Single Market — risked panicky purchases and would aggravate the economic impact of the coronavirus.

 
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