Gorizia-Nova Gorica (Italy-Slovenia)

• Author: Viaggi, Raffaele; Rubio, Jean; Peyrony, Jean
• Pages: 33-35

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

CASE STUDIES

33

Gorizia-Nova Gorica (Italy-

Slovenia)

Border controls and

cross-border mobility

(Reduced crossings

points, type of controls,

congestion, CB public

transport…)

In the EGTC GO, the beginning was quite traumatic: when Italy

prohibited inter-regional movement, Slovenia did not receive any

formal information as a neighbouring country. A complete lack of

coordination was experienced when Italy declared the lockdown,

Slovenian authorities got alarmed and closed the secondary

crossing point overnight, sometimes by installing large

rocks in the middle of the street. Only two international cross-

ings were left open (with controls): at the beginning, this situation

became quite chaotic as many trucks found themselves stuck in

congestion at the border. After the first shock, border crossings

started operating more smoothly and people who could prove they

had work requirements on the other side were allowed to pass.

Throughout the whole period, controls were always oper-

ated exclusively by the Slovenian authorities. Some farmers

even found their fields split in two without the possibility to use

their usual country road.

Another problem was linked to the fact that one of the crossing

points corresponded to the highway, so pedestrians (or cyclists)

were not allowed to use it. So people started requesting the

reopening of an additional secondary crossing for pedestrians.

CB coordination and di-

alogue during the crisis

and the de-contain-

ment phase

(Evolution in border con-

trols and effects of the lift-

ing of border controls)

Since the reopening of the border on June 15th, all residents in Italy

and Slovenia were able to cross again. This was not the case from

people from other countries, which meant that controls were

still active on the main international borders. During the summer,

some workers from Eastern countries working in Italy started tak-

ing secondary border crossings to avoid the mandatory bor-

der checks which they were supposed to be submitted.