Crisis, EU – Baltic States, EU – CIS, Health, Medicine, Tourism, Transport

"The less travel, the more we can contain the virus. Therefore... I propose to the heads of state and governments to introduce temporary restriction on non-essential travel to the European Union," she said.

The proposal has been made to all EU leaders, as well as countries of the Schengen Area - 30 countries in total, with the UK invited to join as well. 

Exceptions would be made for long-term EU residents, family members of EU citizens and diplomats. Anyone going to work to the EU would be allowed to keep doing that. 

Von der Leyen also believes that essential staff like physicians, nurses, care workers, scientists and experts who help fight the coronavirus, as well as delivery drivers would still have to be let into the EU.