The European Commission has recommended that flight and train bans on travel from the UK should be discontinued to avoid supply chain disruptions, but “non-essential travel to and from the UK should be discouraged”.
Brussels called for co-ordinated action by the EU’s 27 states in relation to the UK’s coronavirus variant, with travel bans discontinued.
European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders said: “Given the current uncertainties and in light of the precautionary principle, member states should take co-ordinated action to discourage non-essential travel between the UK and the EU.
“At the same time, blanket travel bans should not prevent thousands of EU and UK citizens from returning to their homes.
“While precautions are needed to contain the spread of the new coronavirus variant, with today’s recommendation, we therefore ensure that the restrictions are co-ordinated and provide for the necessary exemptions for citizens and residents returning home and other essential travellers.”
EU Transport Commissioner Adina Valean said: “Within the EU, it is crucial that transport workers are exempted from any restrictive measures, as quarantine and testing.”
The travel ban has seen thousands of lorries stuck in Kent and Dover, unable to travel to France.
There have beeb warnings that supermarkets could start to run out of some produce by the end of the week.
