European Union Declares 30-Day Closure of Borders Due to Coronavirus Pandemic

The leaders of the European Union nations have agreed to close the area's external borders in a new attempt to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, CNBC reports.

The EU's external borders will be closed for 30 days in an attempt to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

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EU's external borders close due to coronavirus

Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel declared the EU would close its borders at a press conference on Tuesday, according to CNBC. However, travel will still be allowed between and within member countries of the European Union.

"The union and its member states will do whatever it takes," said Charles Michel, European Council President, reports CNBC. He added that the EU will ensure the repatriation of citizens of member countries who are currently outside of the European Union.

This comes on the heels of several other nations who also decided to close external borders due to the global threat of CoVid-19. Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau said he was closing Canadian borders to foreigners on Monday, excepting U.S. citizens from the ban.

European Union increases travel restrictions

On Monday, the European Union restricted all nonessential travel into the area for at least 30 days, according to the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, reports Business Insider.

The @EU_Commission presents guidelines on border measures & proposes:

1⃣Green lanes/fast lanes giving priority to essential transport to keep the mobility sector going & ensure economic continuity

2⃣Temporary restriction on non-essential travel to the EU (30 days) pic.twitter.com/9bda9MntF0

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) March 16, 2020

"The less travel, the more we can contain the virus," said von der Leyen in a video statement on Twitter. "I propose to the heads of state and government to introduce temporary restriction on nonessential travel to the European Union," she added.

With the world's leaders taking unprecedented action to curb the spread of the coronavirus outbreak, things are moving faster and faster. Be sure to check-in here for the latest developments on the CoViD-19 pandemic.