Lift travel restrictions gradually, carefully and responsibly

The EPP Group in the European Parliament calls on Member States to work together to restart mobility and open borders in the EU in a coordinated manner.

"Gradually, carefully and responsibly we have to put all transport modes into motion again and lift travel restrictions", said Marian-Jean Marinescu MEP and Roberta Metsola MEP, ahead of today's debate of the Ministers of Transport of EU Member States on phasing out measures against the Coronavirus pandemic currently in place.

“Restrictive measures need to be lifted based on a common framework and cooperation between countries. A coordinated exit strategy for the transportation of people and goods is necessary for reopening the borders. We owe it to the transport sector, which has not failed us during the pandemic and makes sure that essential goods are delivered on time despite the dangers”, said Marinescu, EPP Group Spokesman on Transport and Tourism.

"Our highly-valued freedom of movement across Europe's internal borders has been temporarily on hold with travel restrictions and border closures in order to protect the health of our citizens. As we look forward towards a gradual, responsible easing of restrictions, Member States should work together so that the EU can reopen its borders in a unified way. Cohesion in this matter would provide much needed certainty at this time", said Metsola, EPP Group Spokeswoman for Justice and Home Affairs.

“We also need to think of further steps to ensure the mobility of people and goods in the future. The EPP Group expects the European Commission to propose more actions to support the transport sector and help it recover once the Coronavirus crisis is over”, concluded Marinescu.