EU calls for member states to ‘discourage’ travel from UK over mutant Covid strain fears

Brussels has said travel from the UK to the European Union should be “discouraged” due to fears about the mutant variant of coronavirus – but bans on movement should be lifted.

The European Commission recommended a joint approach from EU members after individual countries imposed emergency restrictions.

The most dramatic action came from France, which closed its border to lorries crossing the Channel, leading to more than 1,500 HGVs being trapped in Kent.

The EU-wide approach recommended by the commission would allow essential travel, and transit of passengers should be facilitated.

The European Commission has recommended that flight and train bans on travel from the UK should be discontinued to avoid supply chain disruptions.

Flight and train bans “should be discontinued given the need to ensure essential travel and avoid supply chain disruptions”, the commission said.

EU justice commissioner Didier Reynders said “member states should take co-ordinated action to discourage non-essential travel between the UK and the EU”.

But “at the same time, blanket travel bans should not prevent thousands of EU and UK citizens from returning to their homes”.

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