Recommendation 2021/132 - Amendment of Recommendation (EU) 2020/912 on the temporary restriction on non-essential travel into the EU and the possible lifting of such restriction - Main contents
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official title
Council Recommendation (EU) 2021/132 of 2 February 2021 amending Recommendation (EU) 2020/912 on the temporary restriction on non-essential travel into the EU and the possible lifting of such restriction| Legal instrument | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Number legal act | Recommendation 2021/132 |
| Original proposal | COM(2021)39  |
| CELEX number i | 32021H0132 |
| Document | 02-02-2021; Date of adoption |
|---|---|
| Publication in Official Journal | 04-02-2021; OJ L 41 p. 1-5 |
4.2.2021 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
L 41/1 |
COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION (EU) 2021/132
of 2 February 2021
amending Recommendation (EU) 2020/912 on the temporary restriction on non-essential travel into the EU and the possible lifting of such restriction
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Articles 77(2)(b) and (e) and 292, first and second sentence thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
Whereas:
(1) |
On 30 June 2020, the Council adopted Recommendation (EU) 2020/912 on the temporary restriction on non-essential travel into the EU and the possible lifting of such restriction (1). |
(2) |
The criteria set out in Council Recommendation (EU) 2020/912 refer to the average EU 14-day notification rate of 15 June 2020. The Council Recommendation on a coordinated approach to the restriction of free movement in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, adopted on 13 October 2020, uses additional criteria that reflect the most recent scientific advice (2). New variants of the SARS COV-2 virus are a serious cause for concern. The variants appear to be somewhere between 50–70 % more transmissible (3) increasing the burden on healthcare systems. The criteria and thresholds laid down in Recommendation (EU) 2020/912 should therefore be updated. |
(3) |
On 22 December 2020, the Commission responded to the appearance of one such variant with the adoption of a Recommendation on a coordinated approach to travel and transport in response to the SARS-COV-2 variant observed in the United Kingdom (4). |
(4) |
On 19 January 2021, the Commission in its Communication on a united front to beat COVID-19 called for urgent action to contain the risk of a potentially harsher third wave of infections. |
(5) |
In the same Communication, the Commission also stressed that all non-essential travel, especially to and from high risk areas, should be strongly discouraged until the epidemiological situation has considerably improved. |
(6) |
On 21 January 2021, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control issued its latest risk assessment on the spread of the new SAR-CoV-2 variants of concern in the EU/EEA (5), recommending the adoption of stricter measures and of guidance on the avoidance of non-essential travel, including for the purpose of slowing down the importation and spread of the new SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. In addition to recommendations against non-essential travel, and restrictions on travel for those infected, travel measures such as testing and quarantine of travellers should be maintained, in particular for travellers from areas with a higher incidence of the new variants. If sequencing is still insufficient to exclude the possibility of a higher incidence of the new variants, as per European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control guidance on genomic sequencing, proportionate travel measures should also be considered from areas where there is a continued high level of community transmission. |
(7) |
In the oral conclusions drawn following the videoconference of the members of the European Council on 21 January 2021, the President of the European Council noted that measures restricting non-essential travel into and within the EU may be needed to contain the spread of the virus and called on the Council to review its recommendations on intra-EU travel and non-essential travels into the EU in light of the risks posed by the new virus variants. |
(8) |
In accordance with Articles 1 and 2 of Protocol No 22 on the Position of Denmark annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the TFEU, Denmark is not taking part in the adoption of this Recommendation and is not bound by it or subject to its application. Given... |
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