COVID-19 measures: A coordinated European approach is needed

Member States should coordinate their actions restricting free movement of people ​​

Last week, the EU Competitiveness Council addressed the economic recovery amid the new stage of the non-retreating COVID-19 pandemic, putting the Single Market and its freedoms centre-stage. As Member States are increasingly adopting unilateral restrictions on the free movement of people, Europe might once again jeopardise smooth delivery of goods and services that Europeans need in these challenging times.

On 22 September, the EU General Affairs Council will discuss the EU coordination of measures to contain COVID-19. The European business community urges Member States to coordinate their actions that mitigate COVID-19 risks. The patchwork of uncoordinated travel restrictions across the EU is undermining the fragile recovery. European businesses support the European Commission's efforts to ensure a coordinated approach to restrictions of free movement. Member States need to fully engage in this effort, too.

BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer said: "Sanitary concerns are huge and recognised. At the same time, Europe struggles with its recovery to protect its economy and people’s jobs. Europeans need to be safe and have certainty around their freedoms, too. 

We call on all the Member States to urgently coordinate measures they take and put in place a more harmonised approach to precautionary restrictions."