Euroregion Galicia Norte (Spain - Portugal)

• Author: Viaggi, Raffaele; Rubio, Jean; Peyrony, Jean
• Pages: 21-22

 ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT OF BORDER-RELATED MEASURE S TAKEN BY MS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19

 CASE STUDIES

21

Euroregion Galicia Norte (Spain – Portugal)

Border controls and

cross-border mobility

(Reduced crossings points,

type of controls, congestion,

CB public transport…)

The decisio n to close borders was taken by both the Spanish

and the Portuguese governments. There were suddenly only

eight crossing points left between Spain and Portugal and peo-

ple who were allowed to cross the border had to drive long de-

tours. The several Eurocities were completely cut off and CB

public transport became completely inexistent, apart from a few

buses from the Porto airport.

CB coordination and dia-

logue during the crisis

and the de-containment

phase

Regional authorities asked both governments to open up more

crossing points, at least in the most populated or busy Euroci-

ties and CB areas.

The post-lockdown phase was also quite disorganised: there

was not any kind of coordination between the two countries.

Impact on cross-border

workers

On the Galicia-Norte Portugal border, there are more than

12,000 CB workers. With only 2 out of 27 crossing points open

in our territory, CB workers had to drive very long detours, and

suffered added delays due to queues at police controls.

Impact on economic ac-

tivities

(retail, shops, businesses,

tourism…)

Many businesses depend on CB customers such as hotels, tour-

ism, restaurants etc. E.g. up to 60% of the North Portuguese

restaurant industry depends on Galician citizens according to a

survey carried out by the Confederation of Businessmen of

Northern Portugal. Therefore, the border closure had a very

negative impact on the local economy.

Impact on social and cul-

tural activ ities (Family life

and personal relationships,

cultural events…)

Border shutdown had a negative impact on CB residents’ per-

sonal lives as families living on bo th sides of the border were

divided.