BRUSSELS
The EU on Monday announced plans to introduce a temporary ban on non-essential travel to the territory of the bloc's member countries to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the measure aims to prevent the virus from gaining more potential.
Under the plan, non-EU citizens will not be allowed in the bloc for an initial 30 days, but this may later be extended.
With EU nationals returning home, health workers and researchers will be exempted from the travel ban.
The proposal will be finalized on Tuesday, von der Leyen explained.