European Countries Set To Approve COVID-19 Traffic-Light Travel Map 

PARIS—European member states are set to approve a set of measures aimed at harmonizing COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions, according to an EU source. 

In September, the European Commission (EC) set out a proposal for a color-coded map to replace the current patchwork of COVID-19-related travel restrictions that airlines and airports say are putting off travelers through a lack of clarity.  

The air transport industry has been lobbying for greater coordination of measures aimed at limiting the spread of the coronavirus, arguing that the inconsistent measures—such as quarantines and testing requirements—that individual countries have put in place are stopping would-be passengers from booking and harming airlines’ recovery plans.  

According to the latest statistics released by Eurocontrol, flights within its network numbered fewer than 100,000 in the week to Oct.11, the first time this has happened since mid-July.  

Traffic fell 3.8% week-on-week to 99,271 flights in total, or 14,182 on average per day—44.1% of 2019 levels, Eurocontrol said.  

Under the EC’s proposal, EU member states will supply their weekly COVID-19 infection data by region to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) for analysis and sorting by set criteria into different risk levels, with the information presented in a traffic-light color-coded map.  

Member states are set to approve the measures, which take the form of a recommendation, with individual member states having the final say on whether they implement them. The measures have been put forward for adoption with no discussion at a scheduled Oct. 13 meeting of the European Council.  

“Throughout the European Union we have different color codes, different criteria and different rules on testing and quarantine,” EC president Ursula von der Leyen said Oct. 12. “We have to coordinate these measures to make life easier for Europeans. This is why the European Commission put forward a proposal a while ago. Its adoption by national governments will now bring clarity to people.”