(VOVWORLD) - The European Union on Tuesday imposed an entry ban on travellers from outside the bloc for 30 days, except for nationals of EFTA countries and Britain amid the spread of the new coronavirus. The bloc was taking coordinated action to bring back stranded travellers.
 Restaurants in Paris, France, close amid Covid-19 pandemic (Photo: Xinhua/VNA) |
EU leaders discussed on the common measures against severely consequences on economy caused by the pandemic, including ensuring a steady flow of essensial goods around Europe.
Italy on Monday adopted an emergency decree worth 25 billion euros ($28 billion) to support the economy battered by the worst outbreak of coronavirus in Europe. The decree suspends loan and mortgage repayments for companies and families thanks to state guarantees for banks, and increases funds to help firms pay workers temporarily laid off due to the lockdown.
French president Emmanuel Macron said he was ordering people in the country to stay at home for up to 15 days beginning midday Tuesday to reduce the risk of contamination from the virus.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Tuesday announced an "unprecedented" 200 billion euros ($219 billion) aid package to protect jobs and reduce the impact of the coronavirus epidemic on the economy. Control boards along land borders with France and Portugal are established to prevent the spread of the pandemic.
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said the government has made up to 50 million euro to enable the thousands of German travellers who are stranded abroad to return to Germany in the next few days.
Sweden has closed its schools from Tuesday and online teaching is implemented. Austria’s Vienna International Airport will cancel all flights in the upcoming days.
Budapest Airport will allow Hungarian citizens only to enter the country as of Tuesday after sweeping restrictions imposed by Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government on Monday to contain the spread of the coronavirus.