La entrada y circulación de turistas en la Unión Europea en situación de pandemia: el precedente de la COVID-19

Abstract

Tourist mobility in the European Union (EU) takes place within the framework of the regulations governing the free movement of persons, a fundamental right of European citizenship which may, however, be restricted by the respective Member States if necessary to safeguard public health. The pandemic has posed the challenge of ensuring that the restrictions adopted by the States are proportionate and necessary in a context of emergency and enormous stress on national health systems. In response, the EU has promoted coordination between Member States by defining common criteria and types of measures, as well as fostering mutual recognition and trust, which are key to the recovery of tourism. However, the advocacy capacity of the EU has been limited, and the EU itself has treated tourist movements as non-essential and their restriction as a useful mechanism with which to fight the spread of the virus.