On Friday, May 8, the European Commission called Schengen member states (including Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, and Romania) and Schengen associated states (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland) to extend the temporary restriction on non-essential travel to the European Union (EU) until Monday, June 15. Due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, EU member states initially agreed on Tuesday, March 17, to close off the EU's external borders for 30 days to foreign travellers. According to EU officials, internal border controls need to be lifted gradually before allowing access to non-EU residents for non-essential travels.
To reduce the general risk of transmission, travellers are advised to abide by the following measures:
- Frequently clean hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
- When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue; throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
- If you have a fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early and share previous travel history with your health care provider.
- Adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities and their home governments.
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