Leaders of the European Union agreed to close EU’s external borders in an effort to slow down the coronavirus pandemic.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the decision was made during a video conference with other EU leaders. The ban for foreign citizens will last 30 days. She noted that there would be some exceptions, but EU free trade area members of UK are not among them.

Movement within the European Union will be still allowed.

The Union and member states will do their best, president of the European Council Charles Michel said.