Opening Borders post-Covid-19: EU Chief Says No to ‘mini-Schengens’

Euronews’ Efi Koutsokosta and European Commission VP for Protecting our European Way of Life Margaritis Schinas.

European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas on Monday reminded that when it comes to opening up the tourism, travel and hospitality areas in the post-Covid-19 period, “there is no room for discrimination”.

Speaking to Euronews, Schinas spoke about the future of Europe’s border-free travel Schengen zone and underlined that every measure to be taken by member states has to be based on the European Commission’s guidelines and has to be non-discriminatory in nature.

“There is no way that returning to Schengen normality from the existing restrictions in our internal borders should be replaced by some sort of regional mini-Schengens that fragment our single market and discriminate against the non-participating member states. This is not possible,” the Commission’s VP said.

On the contrary, Schinas pointed out that, as recommended by the Commission, it is possible for regions and member states that have similar epidemiological records to begin lifting internal border restrictions in an orderly and non-discriminatory way and above all a safe way for both travelers and tourists.

Regarding the recovery initiative for member states hit by the pandemic, Schinas said that it will be finalized by the Commission in the next 10 days.