The COVID ‘traffic light’ system and how it could re-open Europe

To limit the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak, Member States have adopted various measures like the ‘traffic light’ system. Some measures have had an impact on free movement and travel during summer holidays – vacations. EU needs a well-coordinated, predictable and transparent approach. A common approach for the adoption of restrictions on freedom of movement is necessary to prevent the spread of the virus.

EU needs a common coordinated approach to safeguard the health of citizens. Also to maintain free movement within the Union. This is important for the millions of citizens who rely on frictionless cross-border travel every day. It is also crucial for all European efforts to start safely re-building and re-open the economy.

Freedom of Movement with traffic light

The right of EU citizens to move and reside freely is one of the most cherished achievements of the European Union. Freedom of Movement is also an important driver of European Economy. Any restrictions to the fundamental right of free movement within the EU should only be put in place where strictly necessary and be coordinated, proportionate and non-discriminatory to address public health risks.

Our right to move freely in the EU has been heavily impacted by the pandemic. For the many citizens who rely on frictionless travel every day, the cacophony of national rules in the EU is overwhelming. We want to simplify things.
Didier Reynders, Commissioner for Justice

Common approach

Commission adopted a proposal for a Council Recommendation. This ensures that any measures taken by Member States that restrict free movement due to the coronavirus pandemic are coordinated and clearly communicated at the EU level.

We must avoid further disruption of already fragile economies and additional uncertainty for citizens who have made huge sacrifices. They expect this from us after so many months living with COVID-19.
Stella Kyriakides, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety

The Commission’s proposal sets out four key areas where Member States should work closer together:

• Common criteria and thresholds for Member States when deciding whether to introduce travel restrictions;
• Mapping of common criteria using an agreed colour code;
• A common framework for measures applied to travellers from high-risk areas;
• Clear and timely information to the public about any restrictions

Common criteria – Traffic Light

There is currently a wide discrepancy between national criteria for introducing measures that restrict free movement in the European Union. EU Commission is proposing that each Member State takes into account the following criteria. These criteria apply when putting in place any restrictive measures:

• The total number of newly notified COVID-19 cases per 100 000 people in a given area in a 14-day period;
• The percentage of positive tests from all COVID-19 tests carried out in given area during a seven-day period;
• The number of COVID-19 tests carried out per 100 000 people in a given area during a seven-day period.
• Member States should provide this data on a weekly basis to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDPC). Member States should also provide this data at the regional level. They will ensure that any measures can be targeted to those regions where they are strictly necessary.

We follow the basis that Member State of departure has a weekly testing rate of more than 250 per 100 000 people. EU Commission proposes that Member States should not restrict free movement of people travelling from another Member State where:

• The total number of newly notified COVID-19 cases in a given area is equal to less than 50 per 100 000 people during a 14-day period, OR,
• The percentage of positive tests from all COVID-19 tests in a given area is less than 3%.

Since March, the Commission has developed and delivered a solid foundation of internal and external border control recommendations for Member States to follow. Today’s measures builds on this track record so that we can fully benefit from our Schengen area. That is why we want a clear ‘green, orange, red’ system and not a kaleidoscope of individual measures.
Ylva Johansson, Commissioner for Home Affairs

What is the ‘traffic light’ system?

A common colour code, “Traffic light” plan to help in the assessment of risks associated with foreign travel.

Based on the data provided by Member States, the EU Commission follows the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. ECDPC publishes a map of EU and EEA countries, updated weekly, with a common colour code. The Commission proposes the following:

• Green for an area where the total number of newly notified COVID-19 cases is less than 25 during a 14-day period AND the percentage of positive tests from all COVID-19 tests is less than 3%;
• Orange for an area where the total number of newly notified COVID-19 cases is less than 50 during a 14-day period BUT the percentage of positive tests from all COVID-19 tests is 3% or more OR the total number of newly notified COVID-19 cases is between 25 and 150 BUT the percentage of positive tests from all COVID-19 tests is less than 3%;
• Red for an area where the total number of newly notified COVID-19 cases is more than 50 during a 14-day period AND the percentage of positive tests from all COVID-19 tests is 3% or more OR the total number of newly notified COVID-19 cases is more than 150 per 100 000 people during a 14-day period;
• Grey if there is insufficient information available to assess the criteria proposed by the Commission OR the number of COVID-19 tests carried out per 100 000 people is less than 250.

Traffic Light: A common approach for travellers from high-risk areas

The Commission proposes a common approach amongst Member States when dealing with travellers coming from ‘high-risk’ zones. Member States should not refuse the entry of persons travelling from other Member States. Member States that introduce restrictions to free movement based on their own decision-making processes, could require:

• persons travelling from an area classified as ‘red’ or ‘grey’ to either undergo quarantine OR undergo a COVID-19 test after arrival – COVID-19 testing being the preferred option;*

PLF: Passenger Locator Forms

Where justified, Member States could consider recommending that persons travelling from an area classified as ‘orange’ undergo at least a COVID-19 test prior to departure or upon arrival. Member States could require persons arriving from an area classified as ‘red’, ‘orange’ or ‘grey’ to submit PLF passenger locator forms, notably those arriving by airplane, in accordance with data protection requirements. Travellers with an essential function or need – such as workers exercising critical occupations, frontier and posted workers, students or journalists performing their duties – should not be required to undergo quarantine.

Traffic Light: Clear and timely information to the public

EU Commission proposes that Member States provide details of upcoming restrictions to free movement. Also at the lifting of travel restrictions to Member States and the Commission on a weekly basis. Changes should be notified a week before entering into force.

Information should also be made available on the ‘Re-open EU’ web platform, with a link to the weekly-published map by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

Citizens and businesses need predictability. Member States must make all efforts to minimise the social and economic impact of travel restrictions. This should include the provision of information to the public in in a clear, comprehensive and timely manner.