It won’t be an exaggeration to say that the ongoing coronavirus outbreak has brought the whole world to a standstill. Several companies have asked employees to work from home, schools and universities are closed temporarily, streets are barren, and supermarket shelves are empty. That’s not all as the travel industry across the world has been impacted a lot due to the virus outbreak.
Notably, the EU is proposing to suspend non-essential travel to the European Union for 30 days, announced the president of the EU commission. This could affect travel from outside the EU except for the UK.
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The Foreign Office is advising against travel (leaving essential ones exempted) to various countries due to the coronavirus outbreak. There are increased travel restrictions, border closures, quarantine measures, and health screenings due to the novel coronavirus. It has gone to an extent wherein travellers who have been to any of the affected countries could be denied or quarantined.
As Europe is facing a tough time right now due to the virus outbreak, here are the travel restrictions and measures are taken by various European countries.
Italy
As Italy is the worst hit by coronavirus in Europe, Initially, the Italian authorities encouraged travel to the country as the coronavirus outbreak was limited to a few towns in the northern regions of Lombardy and Veneto. As the crisis has worsened now increasing the death toll, flights are operating though there are cancellations and those who are travelling internally are being checked.
Austria
As of now, there are no direct flights between the UK and Austria or direct connections from Austria to Spain, France, Switzerland, and Italy by air or rail. Travellers from Italy by road will be stopped at the border and will be allowed be allowed to proceed only after presenting a health certificate to prove that they are not affected by the COVID-19. As a result of the virus outbreak, ski resorts in Vorarlberg, Salzburg, and Tirol are closed and resorts and other shops are open for limited hours only.
Germany
Germany will self-quarantine anyone who has been to Switzerland, Austria or Italy 14 days before arriving to the country. Notably, the self-quarantine period is also 14 days. When it comes to commuting by land, there are border restrictions with Denmark, France, Austria, Switzerland, and Luxembourg. Going by the same, only cross-border commuters and deliveries will be permitted.
Hungary
Hungary has issued a 14-day self-quarantine for those who have been to China, Iran, Italy, South Korean or Israel recently. Even sporting and cultural activities are prohibited, bars and restaurants are closed, health screenings are carried out on arrival, and shops are said to be open only for limited hours.
Moldova
During the coronavirus outbreak, there are no direct flights to other parts of Europe. There is also a ban on entry to those who have been to Japan, Italy, China, Iran, Hong Kong, South Korea, Macao or Taiwan 14 days before arriving at the country.
Portugal
When it comes to Portugal, there are land border restrictions with Spain allowing only cross-border commuters and deliveries.
Serbia
Serbia has imposed a ban on the entry of travellers who have been to South Korea, China, Romania, Switzerland, Iran, Greece, Spain, Austria, France, Slovenia or Germany.
Turkey
Turkey has suspended some flights to other European countries. There is a ban on entry to travellers who have been in China, South Korea, Iran or Italy or transited via any of these countries 14 days before arriving in Turkey.
Belgium, France, Ireland, the Netherlands, etc.
A slew of countries such as France, Bulgaria, Belgium, Iceland, Ireland, Greece, Hungary, Monaco, Romania, Switzerland, and Luxembourg have prohibited cultural and sporting activities, restricted large gatherings, closed bars and restaurants, limited public transport options, and more. In these countries, shops will be open only for limited hours and there will be health screenings on arrivals.
Croatia, Bosnia, and Herzegovina
Well, Croatia, Herzegovania, and Bosnia have imposed self-quarantine for 14 days. Also, these countries have closed some borders and limited flight schedules.
Cyprus, Ukraine, and Macedonia
Ukraine, Cyprus, and Macedonia have imposed a ban on the entry for UK travellers.
United Kingdom
As of now, there are no travel warnings or restrictions due to coronavirus for UK nationals. However, there are some cases that have been confirmed to be affected by the virus.
Disclaimer: As the impact of the coronavirus increases, more European countries are sure to be added to the list of countries that have come up with coronavirus. Armenia, Andorra, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Liechtenstein and Sweden are also expected to join the list soon. We will keep you updated as more countries get travel restrictions.
Stock photo from Cristian Storto/Shutterstock
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