EU lists 'critical workers' needing to cross borders

The EU on Monday released a list of the "critical workers" it says must be allowed continued freedom of movement across its internal borders, despite emergency coronavirus measures.

"Many of them have jobs that are important for us all to get through the crisis," European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said, in a video message.

The guidelines were put out as the EU's executive tries to maintain unity and rules across the bloc, after some member state governments took unilateral steps to restrict the inflow of EU citizens.

These measures have greatly weakened the Schengen zone, the passport-free travel area that extends across 26 European countries, mostly EU members.

Some of the hindrances have been eased in the past week under EU pressure, notably for truck drivers hauling food and other necessary goods.

But differing quarantine and travel restrictions in EU countries have made it difficult to know which workers are allowed to cross borders and under what conditions.

The EU's list is only advice. The Commission does not have the power to override member states' prerogative on restrictions imposed, beyond demanding they be "proportionate", time-limited and notified to the executive.

But it seeks to set out who should be regarded as high-priority workers needing cross-border access.

"It is particularly important that those working in sectors that are critical to fight the coronavirus can reach their workplace rapidly," von der Leyen said.

"These are the people working in the healthcare sector, in childcare, elderly care, firefighters and police officers, transport workers," she said.

The list also includes food sector workers, seasonal harvesters, health researchers, communications network technicians, people working on essential infrastructure, and those transporting medical protective gear such as face masks and gowns.

A Commission statement said: "While it is understandable that member states have introduced internal border controls to limit the spread of the coronavirus, it is imperative that critical workers are able to reach their destination without delay.