The Schengen Area and the Coronavirus Pandemic
The Schengen Area and the Coronavirus Pandemic

Author(s): Jolanta Szymańska
Subject(s): Supranational / Global Economy, Governance, Economic policy, International relations/trade, Security and defense, Geopolitics
Published by: PISM Polski Instytut Spraw Międzynarodowych
Keywords: Schengen Area; Coronavirus pandemic; European Union; controls at internal Schengen borders; protecting the flow of goods;
Summary/Abstract: The coronavirus pandemic has prompted the Member States to reintroduce controls at internal Schengen borders. In response to their unilateral actions, the European Commission (EC) presented control guidelines aimed at protecting the flow of goods and returning citizens to their countries. At the EC’s request, country leaders also agreed to temporarily close the external borders of the EU and the Schengen area. These measures will ease tensions between countries and reduce the risk of paralysis of the single market. They may not, however, prevent further loosening of the Schengen agreement.

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