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EU closes external borders for non-essential travel for 30 days!

By Editorial
Posted in News from the Netherlands and Belgium
Tags: , ,
March 18 2020

Travelers from outside the EU are temporarily no longer allowed in the Netherlands and the 25 other countries in the Schengen zone, unless their trip is essential. This was decided by the EU government leaders in a video conference on the fight against the corona virus.

This will mean that Thai partners or family of Dutch and Belgians, with only a Thai passport, will no longer be able to travel to Europe for the next 30 days.

The entry ban for non-essential travel will apply to all 22 EU countries plus Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The Commission calls on the non-Schengen EU countries (UK, Ireland, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia) to introduce the same measure.

The entry ban does not apply to EU citizens and their families, people with a residence permit, medical staff, lorry drivers, diplomats, certain researchers and cross-border workers.

Source: NOS.nl

Number of times read: 246

28 responses to “EU closes external borders for unnecessary travel for 30 days!”

  1. Rob V says up
    17 March 2020 at 20: 59

    15 minutes ago I didn't notice anything when I had to go through the KMar. Will apply from midnight or so or with the exception of travelers who are already on their way.

    • Peter (formerly Khun) says up
      17 March 2020 at 21: 13

      The entry ban does not apply to EU citizens and their families, people with a residence permit, medical staff, lorry drivers, diplomats, certain researchers and cross-border workers.

      • Rob V says up
        18 March 2020 at 04: 31

        There must have been Thai travelers with VKV, but I saw dozens of Thai / Asians passing through at the border post. Or did they all have a residence permit or diplomat pass? Do not think so. Or at 21.00 p.m. did you still know nothing at Schiphol? Or - what I think - travelers who were already on their way may / were allowed to continue (after all, they left when there were no measures yet). There are hardly any flights leaving, so what do you do with an Asian if there is no flight back?

        • willc says up
          18 March 2020 at 18: 01

          And what is wrong with Asians/Thai who also have a Dutch passport?

          • Rob V says up
            18 March 2020 at 21: 53

            The subject is about banning tourists from outside, not about Asian EU citizens.

            • willc says up
              19 March 2020 at 07: 52

              Sorry, it specifically clearly states: Thai travellers/Asians, by tourists I also understand Russians, Africans, etc. and I cannot find that, but you can let them continue.

              • Rob V says up
                19 March 2020 at 08: 32

                I have never given an opinion on who can or can't walk through. I wondered what the KMar does/does with travelers from outside the EU who are no longer welcome from the EU. The Brussels measures that these people are no longer welcome (ie the vision of Brussels and not my vision) took effect immediately. What to do with the category of people who were already on their way to Europe and arrived here when the measure was in force. Send back?? I wondered, while possibly no flights back were available (full, cancelled)?? Then wait at the border? Let them through anyway (because people were still welcome when they left for the EU). I don't know how this happened in practice. Other than that an hour after entry the KMar did not stop anyone.

                Whether they are doing so now, whether these people are already banned when checking in outside the EU and whether the Ministry of Foreign Affairs finally intends to communicate clearly who may or may not enter, more than a day later.. still not clear either . Official sources leave much to be desired, the media often fall short, so not always reliable, and no practical observations from other TB readers (where you can always question whether that observation was correct, yes also mine because of course I didn't stand next to the border booth for an hour to see if a person wasn't allowed to enter the country after all).

      • Rob V says up
        18 March 2020 at 10: 46

        My experience yesterday: aircraft Eva arrived at just over 19.00 pm, but there were a few young people with complaints. Aircraft set aside in cargo department. 2 ambulances, check/talk (about 5 rows away from me on the other side of the plane). Towed to the gate after more than an hour. Got off. Empty halls. At the KMar the automatic gates were initially closed, everyone passed 2 (two) passport control booths. After some time they also turned on the automatic gates, but then it was almost my turn. Didn't notice that people had to separate or anything (read: Thai with a short stay visa). That was between 20:45 and 21:00

        Luggage as slow as usual: only an hour after arrival did the baggage carousel start moving. At 21.30 pm my suitcase arrived on the belt. At the exits I walked past (about 6-7) no customs official was to be seen anywhere. If only I had brought my cocaine.. Airport very empty. Only a handful of arriving and departing flights. On departure, about 40 flights were on the screen. Everywhere 'cancelled' behind MUV 15 flights. Those few are all 'delayed'. So Eva air departed back to Asia but with a delay. I wonder if they will still fly on Thursday.

        When I look at the FB page of the embassy, ​​NetherlandsAndYou, mijnoverheid.nl , KLM , Eva air site etc., nothing is stated yet about tourists from outside Europe being no longer welcome. I wonder if they still plan to communicate that?? And preferably before people arrive at the airport and/or are on board (then you would only be told upon arrival that you have to return)? But the government and communication remain a thing.

        • berry says up
          18 March 2020 at 12: 59

          I am responding to the section “young people with complaints”.

          Were they Dutch youngsters?

          I thought I had read that there were Dutch young people with Corona symptoms who asked for help on how to get back to the Netherlands. They were afraid of being imprisoned in Thailand.

          If they are, happy to hear that they are safely back in the Netherlands.

          • Cornelis says up
            18 March 2020 at 13: 42

            I'm not so sure you should be happy about that. If they were indeed infected - and knew it - and they got on the plane anyway, I think that's a pretty adociac action.

            • Berry says up
              18 March 2020 at 15: 34

              The text is, there were a few young people with complaints.

              I suspect that they already had complaints before they got on a plane.

              Is it the young people who asked for help, they have left Thailand and are back in the Netherlands.

              If it is not these young people who asked for help, then this is a second group who have symptoms, but still went to the airport and were able to check in.

              Then I would much rather it were the young people asking for help. A second group sounds much more anxious.

              I suspect that the young people have become afraid of being admitted to Thai state hospitals, if they have obtained information from various forums or blogs.

              Especially if they have looked at ThaiVisa, you will find a lot of responses from “Never in my life in a Thai state hospital”.

          • Rob V says up
            18 March 2020 at 21: 52

            Yes Dutchmen, but after a little investigation the brother left again. Just been a safety protocol. Don't think they were the same guys.

  2. Mark says up
    18 March 2020 at 04: 48

    How many airplane seats on ams-bkk and bru-ams return are filled by EU citizens and their families, people with a residence permit, medical staff, truck drivers, diplomats, certain researchers and cross-border workers?

  3. brabant man says up
    18 March 2020 at 08: 47

    Moderator: Please stick to facts only.

  4. BramSiam says up
    18 March 2020 at 12: 43

    It would be nice if there was a little better communication about the policy of the airlines. Who still flies and how often and how long will they continue to do so.
    Originally I was supposed to fly back to the Netherlands 14/4, but I made it 7/4 for an extra fee to avoid songkran. I now have no idea when I can go back to the Netherlands. Well, I'm probably (still) better here than in the Netherlands, so I'm not complaining about that. But I also don't see an answer anywhere to the question of whether Thailand will relax the visa rules for people who get into trouble. You would expect it from a country that relies on tourism, but yes, 'ai farang' and 'phuak no' from a minister do not give the feeling that people have much sympathy for the problems of the stranded foreigners. If you can't stay anymore, but you can't get out either, what then? The Eagles have made a song about it that is also very popular here. You can check out any time you want, but you can never leave.

    • Nico says up
      18 March 2020 at 14: 26

      Maybe this will help you: https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/international-travel-document-news/1580226297.htm

    • RonnyLatYa says up
      19 March 2020 at 05: 20

      "But I also don't see an answer anywhere to the question of whether Thailand will relax the visa rules for people who get into trouble."

      You can only answer a question if there is information about it.

  5. Henlin says up
    18 March 2020 at 12: 54

    For completeness:
    President Macron of France has already said this on Monday evening.
    But the decision was taken by the government leaders on Tuesday evening around 20.00 p.m.
    So it is logical that yesterday (Tuesday) not much has been noticed

  6. wim says up
    18 March 2020 at 15: 46

    Just found out that EVA air no longer flies to Amsterdam. Had to call BMA travel myself, had sent an email Sunday evening but no answer. Got an employee on the phone who said they couldn't call or email abroad..... Have to call back tomorrow then he would know more. Just looked at the website of Eva Air all flights NTV is there. So you are being fooled.

    Moderator: We are not aware that EVA Air no longer flies on AMS. That is also not apparent from the website of EVA Air.

    • Alie says up
      19 March 2020 at 01: 58

      We checked in. We fly to Amsterdam on March 19 at 12:20 PM. If not, I'll report it.

    • Rob V says up
      19 March 2020 at 07: 47

      As the editors already indicated, Eva is (still!) flying. For how long is the question:
      Eva Air flight BKK-AMS from March 19: departed.

      Source:
      https://booking.evaair.com/flyeva/EVA/B2C/flight-status.aspx?lang=en-nl

      Schiphol shows the same information: flight is en route and on schedule.

      Source: https://www.schiphol.nl/nl/aankomst/?datetime=2020-03-19&search=bangkok

  7. Rob V says up
    18 March 2020 at 19: 32

    In the meantime very poor information on NetherlandsAndYou.

    About borders closed: “Today the EU member states decided to place severe restrictions on travel to the EU Schengen area, which includes the Netherlands. As of now the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is advising all Dutch people not to travel abroad in the coming period unless absolutely essential.”

    Source: https://www.netherlandsandyou.nl/latest-news/news/2020/03/18/travel-advice-only-travel-abroad-if-essential

    Still nothing concrete, so that as a Thai tourist with a valid visa you can no longer enter the EU. Assuming that the border is indeed closed, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will lose out considerably

    ***************************

    About applying for a Schengen visa:

    “Coronavirus: visas for the Netherlands

    The global development regarding the COVID-19 virus has far-reaching consequences for the services provided by Dutch embassies worldwide, including external service providers such as visa agencies.

    This means that until at least April 6, 2020 no passport applications, visa applications for short and long stays (authorization for temporary stay, mvv) will be collected via embassies and visa agencies.

    Other services, such as DNA tests, identity screening, legalization of documents and 'basic civic integration examination abroad' will not take place during this period. 

    In the Q&A's you can find the answers to the most frequently asked questions. Keep an eye on this website for more information.

    Short-stay Schengen visaCan I still apply for a visa?

    No, at the moment it is not possible to lodge a visa application.

    When can I apply again for a visa?

    At the moment we do not have a date, this depends on the developments regarding COVID-19. Our appointment systems are closed until April 6th but this period can be extended.

    Can I already make an appointment for after April 6ht?

    No, this is unfortunately not possible, our appointment system is closed.

    (..)

    Travel to the Netherlands, Schiphol Airport, transitI am a Dutch citizen, EU citizen, can I still travel to the Netherlands?

    A Member State may not deny entry to EU citizens or third-country nationals with a residence permit who reside on its territory and must facilitate the transit of other EU citizens and residents returning home.

    Currently it is being discussed by the Ministry of Justice in the Netherlands what the directive is for persons with residence permits and for foreign nationals who encounter problems in this respect. Further information on this matter will follow at a later stage.

    I have a residence permit for the Netherlands, can I still travel to the Netherlands?

    A Member State may not deny entry to EU citizens or subjects with a residence permit from third countries who reside on its territory and must facilitate the transit of other EU citizens and residents who return home.

    Currently it is being discussed by the Ministry of Justice in the Netherlands what the directive is for persons with residence permits and for foreign nationals who encounter problems in this respect. Further information on this matter will follow at a later stage.

    I am in transit at Schiphol airport and cannot continue to my final destination?

    If you are in transit at Schiphol airport and you cannot continue your journey, you can contact the border police.

    Currently it is being discussed by the Ministry of Justice in the Netherlands what the directive is for foreign nationals in transit who encounter problems in this respect. Further information on this matter will follow at a later stage.

    I have an MVV or facilitating visa. Does the Schengen entry ban also apply to me, or may I still enter?

    The Ministry of Justice in the Netherlands and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will specifically discuss what the directive is for foreign nationals with an MVV or facilitating visa. More information on this matter will follow later.”

    Source: https://www.netherlandsandyou.nl/travel-and-residence/visas-for-the-netherlands

  8. Rob V says up
    18 March 2020 at 19: 48

    On Twitter, incidentally, a tweet from Tuesday 21.55 that the border is closed to tourists:

    “Replying to @sruerlecram
    The closure of the borders takes effect immediately and applies for thirty days. ^YA
    9:55 PM Mar 17, 2020”

    In response to the question “When does the Schengen entry ban take effect? Tomorrow already?"

    Source: https://twitter.com/sruerlecram/status/1240014497307398154?s=20

    Remains poor information provision, the average Thai has to crochet from the newspaper, for example, that those 'drastic measures' are closing the border. As you can see, it was immediately a little less immediate than immediately. After all, the decision seems to have been taken at 20.00 p.m. and the border was still open at 21.00 p.m. I wonder if Thai tourists have been told by Eva etc that they no longer enter the EU. From, for example, the airline or Ministry of Foreign Affairs itself in a mailing.

    • Rob V says up
      19 March 2020 at 09: 01

      The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has now announced that the measures will only take effect this evening:

      “Travel restrictions for the Netherlands
      As from Thursday, 19 March 2020 18:00 entry conditions to the Netherlands will be stricter. Read the questions and answers for more detailed information about the travel ban.”

      Source:
      https://www.netherlandsandyou.nl/latest-news/news/2020/03/18/q-and-a-for-entry-into-the-netherlands-travel-ban

      It's nice to have such a government that barely provides information, people get it out of the media, says on Twitter that it takes effect immediately (remarkable because people already on the road can no longer change their schedule and may come between two stools). Only more than a day later the first information that is a bit clear..

  9. Patrick says up
    19 March 2020 at 03: 09

    Very poor communication and still unclear.

    EU nationals and THEIR family are allowed to enter NL?

    So a Dutchman with his Thai partner (long-term serious relationship, so family) is allowed to enter NL? Humanitarian this should of course be yes. However it is unclear.

    Anyway, these are drug measures. The virus has long arrived. Closing borders only exacerbates the situation and increases uncertainty. Symbol politics. So much fuss.

    Also nice, on Schiphol.nl the link to more info ('in Dutch only')
    https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/ministeries/ministerie-van-justitie-en-veiligheid/nieuws/2020/03/18/vanaf-donderdag-19-maart-2020-18.00-uur-verscherpen-de-toegangsvoorwaarden-voor-personen-die-naar-nederland-willen-reizen

    “The travel restriction does not apply to the following categories of persons:
    EU citizens (including UK nationals) and their family members;”

    Your partner is part of your family I hope… Anyone have any ideas?

    The whatsapp of the Dutch Embassy Thailand is also hopeless. Sorry we can't give a personal answer because busy busy Corona. Yes, DUH if your information provision is in order. In other words, their answer is: sorry we can NOT provide information. Useful.

  10. Patrick says up
    19 March 2020 at 04: 35

    A serious long-term relationship (even when officially married in Thailand), is not recognized as being family, I just read. Here we go again, the human dimension/practical thinking in bureaucratic Netherlands is lost again. Apparently they want to see legalized translated documents. At least, that is the answer of 1 anonymous employee. Which can't be arranged quickly now, I guess... Traveling together, the word of a Dutch person, copy of passport, ticket, Thai documents, photos, apparently means nothing as long as it is not a Dutch document. The intended purpose of the measure is once again forgotten (which is already very debatable and has no effect except for the stage). In other words, EU national and 'their family' is a very narrow definition (given the situation that often applies, NL'er who lives outside the Netherlands). 'Their family' is only family when it is written on bureaucracy Dutch paper.

    Ah well, was to be expected. The measure is absurd anyway. Virus has already arrived, you are still letting Europeans through, so what do you want to achieve now? More panic? Mission accomplished. If you wanted to close the borders, you should have done it in January. Panic football.

    Anyway, this for information and entertainment 😉

    • Rob V says up
      19 March 2020 at 07: 56

      A non-EU partner such as a Thai is not related to an EU citizen unless they are officially married (whether that marriage was concluded in the Netherlands, Thailand or elsewhere makes no difference, all is fine). That Ministry of Foreign Affairs employee is therefore wrong.

      However, the problem is that a Thai who is married to an EU citizen and who does not have a residence permit will ask the airliner for a visa. However, the embassy is closed and so is VFS Global for visa applications other than humanitarian visas. The 'visa for a family member of an EU/EEA citizen', which can be issued free, quickly and smoothly, is not mentioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on their site about who can still obtain a visa during the 30-day ban. It should be on there…

      So it is best if you have a Thai partner with whom an official marriage has been concluded here or there, to contact the embassy to get a free visa (see my Schengen file for details). Because without such a visa, no airliner will let you board, even though the Thai partner is officially entitled to a visa through the embassy or at the EU border (read: Schiphol, Zaventem, etc. where the border guard must issue this visa if you demonstrate being a family member of an EU citizen).

      Source: see the Schengen dossier or:
      https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/entry-exit/non-eu-family/index_nl.htm

      • Patrick says up
        19 March 2020 at 09: 02

        Go explain that to them… this anonymous employee (always nice that people cover themselves, at first I also only received a link to some general blah blah) says nicely that the document must be translated and legalized and probably also registered?… what not even it is now possible since the Embassy is not doing anything now (all appointments cancelled, also so nice)…

        MEV is already present, I had also informed the employee.

        But as expected, there is no room for reason.


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