EC guidelines: restoration of transport services and connectivity

The European Commission published Guidelines on the Progressive Restoration of Transport Services and Connectivity – COVID-19 2020/C 169/02.

Given the global nature of the COVID-19 outbreak and the international nature of transport services, it is indispensable to have a framework for a gradual, timely, and safe restoration of European and global transport systems.

The guidelines concern the safe and gradual restoration of passenger transport for all modes in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak.
As long as restrictions on the movement of persons remain in place, freight flows also remain liable to be affected.
While focusing on restoring transport services and connectivity, it is necessary to look towards the sustainable and smart recovery of the EU transport sector so that it can regain its pre-crisis strength, remain globally competitive and continue to be a fundamental part of the EU economy and citizens’ lives. Lessons learnt from the COVID-19 crisis will be reflected in the upcoming Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy in 2020.

The Commission will continue working with other EU institutions, agencies and bodies, Member States, transport stakeholders and international partners to coordinate actions and to facilitate the implementation of these guidelines in a transparent and objective way. The Commission will in particular monitor that containment measures and their progressive lifting do not undermine the Single Market or create discriminatory effects contrary to the Treaties between EU transport operators and service providers, and that they do not discriminate between EU citizens or workers on grounds of nationality.

For more information, please see here.