Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Heads of state and government of the EU member states and countries associated with the European Union decided to follow the recommendations of the European Commission and introduce restrictions on entry for all non-mandatory trips to control the spread of COVID-19 from third countries to the EU with a preliminary validity of 30 days.

Seehofer, the Federal Minister of the Interior, issued an order in accordance with Art. 14, 6 of the Schengen Borders Code, which entered into force immediately.

Restrictions on movement do not apply to the following groups of persons:

- Citizens of EU member states and countries associated with the EU under the Schengen Agreement returning to their homeland or place of permanent residence, and their family members, as well as citizens of the United Kingdom, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland and their family members

- third-country nationals returning to their places of permanent residence with a long-term residence permit (residence permit, long-term study or work visa) in one of the EU member states or one of the above countries

- third-country nationals performing the so-called “Key functions” (essential functions or needs). According to the decision, this group includes:

- medical personnel, including persons carrying out research activities in the field of medicine, as well as patient care,

- pendulum migrants, employees of transport companies in the field of freight transportation and other necessary areas,

- diplomats, employees of international organizations, military personnel, humanitarian workers, if the entry is for official purposes,

- transit passengers,

- passengers entering due to the presence of compelling family circumstances,

- persons in need of international protection or entering for other humanitarian reasons.