?German border check in Kehl near French city of Strasbourg
As more and more European countries ease border controls, the EU is trying to co-ordinate their actions.
- The European Commission, which drafts EU laws, wants the 27 member states to lift their internal border controls by 1 July. Most are in the Schengen zone, where citizens enjoy passport-free travel, but the pandemic brought border lockdowns across Europe. EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson announced the plan on Euronews, and the states' home affairs ministers are discussing easing border controls today.
- The EU makes a big distinction between internal and external borders; the talk is not about lifting controls for non-EU travelers arriving in the bloc. Some border controls have already been lifted. Today the Czech Republic is lifting its controls with neighbors Austria, Germany, Hungary and Slovakia.
- The Irish government is expected to approve the second phase of a roadmap for exiting the lockdown. It would allow some workplaces and small shops to reopen; extend the distance restriction on exercise from 5km to 20km; and let people visit the homes of those isolating, but with social distancing
- The world-famous Vienna Philharmonic is to give its first post-lockdown concert - Beethoven’s 5th Symphony - at Vienna’s Musikverein concert hall. It has capacity for 2,000 people, but under social distancing rules only 100 people can attend.
News updates here. >> slotxo
