(17 April 2020) – Today, the Commission adopted guidance on the implementation of relevant EU rules on asylum and return procedures and on resettlement in the context of the coronavirus pandemic.
This responds to Member States’ request for advice on ways to ensure the continuity of procedures and the respect of, at a minimum, basic rights.
The guidance was prepared with the support of the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), and in cooperation with national authorities.
Since 17 March, all EU Member States (except Ireland) and non-EU Schengen countries have taken national decisions to implement the temporary restriction on non-essential travel to the EU, but exemptions extend to persons in need of international protection or for other humanitarian reasons respecting the principle of non-refoulement.