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SPECIAL DOSSIER COVID-19

P. 2 -> Grand Est -> - -> France- Appeal to the network P. 3 Statements by Prime Minister Edouard Philippe -> France- -> France-- -> France- -> France- P. 4 Press review - Resources

The EU stands united in the face of the virus - the need for co- ordination is now the epicentre of the European Council. coronavirus pandemic, COVID-19. In Concerning internal , the response to its spread, several EU Member guidelines are intended to restrict internal States have implemented uncoordinated controls and barriers to the single Robert Herrmann border closures and unilateral measures. market. Corridors will be established for President of the On 13 March, the European Commission lorries carrying essential supplies, in Eurometropolis of called for border measures to be particular for health workers. For cross- Strasbourg, President of the MOT "coordinated, operational, proportionate border workers, particularly those working and effective". in the health and food sectors, passage The coronavirus epidemic affects us directly; we will The European Commission's role consists in must be authorised or even facilitated. overcome the challenge thanks to personal vigilance helping Member States to respond to the The Commission is also taking action to and solidarity. This special edition of the MOT crisis by making recommendations on reduce the socio-economic consequences newsletter shows the lack of projection and coordinated action and common of the epidemic and has launched the coordination beyond borders, at European and global leadership. For this purpose, the Coronavirus Response Investment level. As elected representative from a cross-border Commission's crisis management Initiative (CRII), to which the EU metropolis, capital of an open Europe, I would like to mechanism, ARGUS, has been activated. Cohesion Policy and the EU Solidarity Fund recall that the virus knows no borders... The only approach that makes sense is cooperation! When faced The Commission's proposals which take the contribute. Finally, the Commission with danger and uncertainty, our cultures, our systems form of "Guidelines on border proposes to reallocate unspent structural of solidarity and decision-making remain above all management measures to protect public funds of €37 billion to support healthcare national. At a time of containment, borders remain health and ensure the availability of systems, SMEs and the most affected legitimate, but deserve a coordinated and consensual essential goods and services" were sectors and workers. More info proximity management. endorsed on 17 March by the Extraordinary It is now time to learn to move forward together! Faced with the interdependence of our territories, this issue reveals a full-scale experiment: teleworking, including for cross-border workers; sharing of knowledge and resources; the first decisions taken by the European Commission. We need to think about the future. Let us provide the EU with new tools for dealing with large-scale crises, more ambitious policies integrating public health, a significant budget for the post-2020 period, new own resources, better tax coordination between States, and a more active democracy. In this way, Europe will make further progress in overcoming this new crisis. Thank you all, public service professionals, ordinary citizens, builders of our Europe at its borders, for your commitment. Take care of yourself! Etienne -Ansotte, Source: EC Audiovisual Service SPECIAL DOSSIER COVID-19

PLEASE NOTE In the Grand Est This special edition of the Region : a European newsletter gives a picture

of the situation on the Jean Isenmann, ADEUS date of its publication, equation to be found but this situation is changing rapidly. As far as between border possible, the MOT will try to keep its members closures and economic informed via its press Strasbourg-Kehl reviews. interdependence

Since 16 March, the Strasbourg workers. On Tuesday 17, France working hours, and to Transport Company has no implements population guarantee all social protection longer been authorised to serve containment; Luxembourg rights and full remuneration. , and the tramway announces a "state of crisis" The details of these measures APPEAL TO THE going from Strasbourg to Kehl while Switzerland closes its are listed and indexed by the stops at the border. Within a borders to those who do not association "Frontaliers Grand NETWORK few days, following the spread reside or work in Switzerland. Est" (link here), a resource We thank you in advance for of the coronavirus in Europe, Finally, Belgium adopts strict centre for cross-border workers. control and restriction containment measures on the sending us any new The emergency and exceptional information likely to update measures were put in place at 18th of March. measures required by the the contents of these the Grand Est borders, while Concerns arose in this context situation of cross-border articles. population containment was of drastic travel restrictions workers also reflect the implemented. On 12 March, the A consultation of the network about the preservation of the interdependence of local first controls were introduced will be launched before the rights of cross-border workers economic systems on regional at the border, following the end of March in order to draw and the sustainability of borders. They are today proof of up an inventory of the decision of the German Robert economic ties on both sides of the continuity and integration consequences of the Koch Institute, responsible for the border. The neighbouring of these territories. In times of situation and the impacts at disease control, which declared countries took urgent common crisis, this continuity can the French borders. the Grand Est Region as a "risk measures. They agreed to represent a basis for zone". On 16 March, the Contact MOT: maintain employment contracts operational cooperation French-German border was [email protected] of cross-border workers, to between European states. closed except for the transport extend teleworking possibilities of goods and cross-border beyond 25% of the employee's

The cross-border dependence of the Luxembourg The situation at the Franco- health system on coronavirus tested British border

While the coronavirus crisis is challenging and will challenge all European health Great Britain is considered as part of the European systems, the equation should be even more complex to solve on the Franco- Union until the end of the post-Brexit transition Luxembourg border. Indeed, the Luxembourg health system is highly dependent on period in December 2020 and even though it had cross-border workers: while they represent 45% of jobs in Luxembourg, this rate rises never been part of the , facing the to nearly 70% in the medical professions, the majority of whom are French. The closure of this area to third country nationals since Luxembourg government is therefore considering a drastic measure, namely to 17 March at 12 noon, the border with France remains introduce certificates to enable cross-border commuters to "settle on the territory" open. of the Grand Duchy during the crisis period. The aim is to have border medical staff As regards ferry crossings, the DFDS company has in the immediate vicinity in the event of even stricter measures taken by France and decided to limit the number of passengers per other border countries. Luxembourg is studying the possibility to welcome medical crossing by 50%, in order to leave more space for staff and their families in hotel rooms, a disposal that is unprecedented in Europe. everyone and to reduce the risks of transmission, While this initiative could be a solution for the sustainability of the Luxembourg until at least 6 April. A similar measure has been health system, it could also raise questions for the French medical system itself, taken by Eurotunnel for its freight shuttles. P&O given that the Grand Est Region is already one of the most affected in France and ferries does not intend to reduce the loading of its could pretty soon lack of medical staff. vessels. Trucks, cars and people normally travel through the Channel ports although no more than This shows the urgent need for a coordinated approach between the two States, both 100 people are allowed in any space on ships. to manage the crisis and to set up structured cooperation in the field of public More info health.

2 - CROSS-BORDER NEWS N°157 SPECIAL DOSSIER COVID-19

Statements by France-Italy, tighter border controls

French Prime Italy, the first country to be only Italian and French border severely hit by this health residents who are able to Minister Edouard crisis, recently called for a submit a self-declaration can Philippe "European coordination" in the now cross it. Because of the healthcare and economic field double border to be crossed by On 'France Television', to deal with the coronavirus. the many Italians travelling to Italy's borders remain generally , these cross-border March 17, 2020 open to goods traffic, which is workers may soon have to essential to supply the country provide themselves with three "Regarding the question of with medical equipment from separate national borders, the President of the other countries. authorisations. […] Republic has made great efforts At the French-Italian border, More info with all the Member States of the to reach a common position." "As long as we are in a lockdown France-Spain-Andorra: controls and health coordination situation, it makes sense to do As of March 18, Spain is the established. The Guardia Civil goes up to Cerdanya any more, health checks at the borders." second most affected country in and the Spanish police are because the area's health "Closing the borders completely Europe by the COVID-19 posted at every border crossing structure, the Cerdanya cross- also makes it more difficult to get epidemic with 13,910 diagnosed point. In the Basque Country, border hospital, is not designed the raw materials and products we cases and 623 deaths. Since every vehicle and pedestrian is to receive so many people". The need into the country. It also midnight March 17, Spain's land checked by police officers. Cerdanya Hospital nevertheless makes border work more borders have been closed "in Cross-border workers living in continues its cross-border complicated, though it is essential order to reduce the number of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques and activity because a health for those who work and for the people infected with the virus working in Euskadi continue to corridor has been set up with receiving country. There are a lot both nationally and in Europe," cross the border. But it is no France. of French people employed on the according to Spanish Minister of longer possible, for example, to In terms of cooperation, the other side of the border, in Interior Fernando Grande- travel to Spain for shopping. Principality of Andorra has Luxembourg, Germany, Marlaska. Only Spanish citizens, Further east, the French-Spanish requested the Toulouse Switzerland, Italy, Spain". residents in Spain, cross-border Cerdanya has seen many University Hospital, within the workers, diplomatic personnel Barcelonians arrive in framework of their cooperation "The right response to this and cases of force majeure, as confinement in their second agreement, for transfers of epidemic lies both in national well as goods trucks, can enter homes in the mountains. The critical care patients to measures, but obviously also in the country. mayor of Puigcerdà, the border Toulouse. […] European cooperation and From west to east, border town of Bourg-Madame, Albert More info coordination." controls have been re- Piñeira demanded that "nobody

Franco-Belgian coordination The influx of cross-border workers In France, since Tuesday 17 March at 12 noon, for a period of at least fifteen days, and in Belgium, since Wednesday 18 March at 12 noon and remains essential to the economy of the at least until 5 April, any unjustified leave from home, any friendly and family meetings and all gatherings are prohibited, on pain of a fine for Swiss cantons offenders. The border between France and Belgium remains open for the time being, When looking at the share of people infected per capita, Switzerland both by road and by train or bus, but train traffic is greatly reduced and turns out to be the second most affected country in the world after crossings are filtered. In both countries, any movement across the border Italy. The large flow of workers between the canton Ticino and the is in principle prohibited unless it is essential and justified (by work, Lombardy region, Italy's first region in terms of total number of care, feeding). Non-essential travel outside Belgium is prohibited until 5 infected people, has certainly speeded up the process. April. Checks are often carried out to ensure that travel is justified (for The federal authorities indicate that entries to Switzerland from the four the reasons mentioned above). In order to enter France or Belgium, each neighbouring countries is now only possible for Swiss citizens, persons person must be in possession of a duly completed certificate. with a residence permit in Switzerland and persons who need to travel Concerning cross-border workers, as social distancing measures are under to Switzerland for professional reasons. way on both sides of the border, they should restrict travel to a minimum This means that the French-Swiss border remains open to cross-border and give priority to the telework wherever possible. If they are unable to workers, who are essential to the economy of the border cantons and to telework and have the certificate above, they are allowed to cross. the medical sector. With regard to health care, border residents are now asked to contact In addition, secondary customs are closed so that traffic can be their national health services, even though the health structures in the channeled through the main ones, where controls are. French and Belgian Ardennes are "in continuous contact" (source: ARS Among the main challenges, traders and cross-border workers mention Grand Est). If assistance is required, it will be provided in France for the speed at which emergency measures are evolving, which implies the French people and in Belgium for Belgians. Daily updates on the situation need for constant monitoring for all those -like them- who contribute to within the cross-border territory are provided by the Eurometropole Lille- the cross-border economic system. Kortrijk-Tournai.

CROSS-BORDER NEWS N°157 - 3 PRESS REVIEW SPECIAL DOSSIER COVID-19 Brussels learns to Luxembourg: towards Geneva fears On the Irish island, manage its new a requisition of defection of cross- an open border to the borders healthcare staff in border workers, coronavirus Le Monde, 18 March Lorraine? Monday at work Euractiv, 18 March "Limiting the contagion of "The political differences the SARS-CoV-2 virus without La Meuse, 18 March Le Temps, 14 March between the , threatening the integrity of "Luxembourg remains very "The economy is holding its a European state, and Northern the internal market, which is attentive to "state of health breath, University Hospitals Ireland, a British province, one of the keystones of emergency" measures that could are considering solutions to complicate the management of Community construction: this be taken in France, and which potential staff shortages." the health crisis. The two is the challenge facing the would allow the requisition of juridictions are taking different European Union (EU) today. It healthcare staff living in On the border measures, and the border forces it to reconsider the Lorraine, but working in the remains open." question of its borders, both Grand Duchy." between and external and internal, in a Germany, Ticino measures the radically new way." Cross-Channel interminable role of its cross-border Call for a links between Dieppe expectations and commuters European response Le Temps, 10 March and Newhaven uncertainties "At Chiasso customs, flows of to the Coronavirus uncertain Le Monde, 19 March vehicles are reduced in both "Crossings between Germany directions. All over the canton, Le progrès de Fécamp, 18 March threat and Poland have become very people are adapting to the "The passage to England via the difficult due to health checks 'closure' of Lombardy in Italy to Euractiv, 16 March cross-Channel link from Dieppe to by the ruling majority in contain the spread of the "A group of Europeans is Newhaven was assured yesterday. Warsaw." disease." calling for a 'European But for how much longer..." response' to the coronavirus, to protect people as much as possible. The call has been signed by 450 pro-European personalities representing European and national legal resources scholars, civil society, companies and institutions." European Union - The coronavirus response team More info https://ec.europa.eu/info/live-work-travel-eu/health/coronavirus-response_en European Union: Covid-19 Guidelines for border management measures to protect health and ensure the EU-27 and Covid- availability of goods and essential services, 2020/C 86 I/01, OJ C 86I, 16.3.2020, p. 1–4 19: "One for all, every https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv:OJ.CI.2020.086.01.0001.01.ENG&toc=OJ:C:2020:086I:TOC French Government, all the answers to your questions about the Coronavirus COVID-19 man for himself." https://www.gouvernement.fr/info-coronavirus Localtis/Banque des Individual Certificate (can be reproduced on free paper). It must be completed for each non-business territoires, 16 March outing "Unable to coordinate them https://www.gouvernement.fr/sites/default/files/contenu/piece- upstream, the European jointe/2020/03/attestation_de_deplacement_derogatoire.pdf authorities are urgently proposing support measures Decree No. 2020-260 of 16 March 2020 regulating movements as part of the fight against the spread of the to Member States tempted COVID-19 virus more than ever by https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexte.do?cidTexte=JORFTEXT000041728476&categorieLien=id protectionism."

CROSS-BORDER NEWS

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