The President of the European Commission proposed that countries ban unnecessary travel to the European Union for 30 days to deal with Covid-19.

"The less we can travel, the more we can control nCoV. I have proposed that the leaders of the member countries apply a temporary blockade with unnecessary trips from abroad to the European Union. Europe (EU), "said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen today.

Leaders of EU countries are expected to discuss the blockade proposal in the remote talks on March 17. The bloc has yet to find a unified plan of action with Covid-19, while some countries have imposed unilateral border controls.

EU officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the blockade would apply to 30 countries, including all member states except Ireland, and four non-EU countries, but Schengen. "The UK and Ireland are also encouraged to implement this measure," the official added.

The ban is expected to take effect within 30 days and can be extended if needed. Exemptions include EU citizens and their relatives, as well as scholars, doctors and researchers who are participating in the effort to control Covid-19.

The EU is also seeking to restore solidarity after Covid-19 caused divisions between the bloc countries. The European Commission previously warned its member states not to block food and medicine supplies when tightening the border.

"We know the danger is in the block, not from the outside. This measure is like a political message," another unnamed official said.

Covid-19 has appeared in 162 countries and territories, causing more than 175,000 people to be infected with nCoV and more than 6,700 deaths. The World Health Organization (WHO) on March 13 declared Europe to be a global Covid-19 mind.