Agreement expected on simple traffic light approach to travel across the EU

European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, announces a new and - hopefully - more coordinated approach to free movement within the EU. The Commission’s proposal is subject to the agreement of ministers attending tomorrow’s (13 October) General Affairs Council. Since the start of the pandemic, national governments have introduced travel restrictions in a haphazard and uncoordinated way, often leaving their own citizens stranded or confounded. Different rules on testing and quarantine, with different criteria and colour codes have meant citizens don’t know where and when they can travel, as well as which rules apply on their return. The Commission’s proposal brings a common colour code, based on agreed criteria. It will define all regions in the European Union based on the level of risk. A traffic light system - red, orange, green - will be shown on one single map for all of the EU. Everyone will be able to check online via the Reopen site (https://reopen.europa.eu/en/

). There will be no restrictions if you are travelling from a "green" region. When travelling from an "orange" or a "red" region, national governments may ask you to be tested, or undergo quarantine. Unlike during the summer, governments are meant to commit to providing clear and timely information before introducing measures. Countries like France, which have chosen variegated levels of red to indicate higher levels of risk will be expected to conform to the simpler approach. EU citizens travelling for an “essential” reasons, like transport workers, or those travelling for important family reasons, will not be required to undergo quarantine.