On 13 October 2020, EU Member States adopted a Council recommendation with a view to ensuring that national measures restricting free movement are coordinated and clearly communicated at EU level. The recommendation envisages a common approach to introducing restrictions on travellers coming from other areas. While Member States are free to decide what measures to apply to travellers returning from risk areas to their territories, they should consider the differences in the epidemiological situation as well as the situation in their own territory and act in a proportionate manner. Experience from the last few months shows that some Member States continue to impose restrictions on travellers returning from risk areas, even though the incidence of coronavirus cases in these areas is lower than that in their territory. Hence, these measures do not take into account whether the entry of a person from a risk area would create additional risks of infection.

Does the Commission consider that such measures violate the principles of equal treatment and proportionality?

Does the Commission intend to propose additional guidelines and recommendations to ensure that measures aimed at protecting public health do not limit the rights of European citizens in a disproportionate manner?