Euroregion Galicia Norte (Spain - Portugal)

AuthorViaggi, Raffaele; Rubio, Jean; Peyrony, Jean
Pages21-22
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.

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