Despite the EU Directive 2004/38/EC & "Covid-19 long distance relationship travel exemption", many couples and families are still separated. Dutch embassies are not cooperating and issuing short term visas for travel exemption categories. Give the chance to reunite to EVERY NATIONALITY.
couples and family members who want to reunite and exercise the right for travel exemption.
We request that:
The Dutch government rightfully implemented a "Covid-19 long distance relationship travel exemption" on 27th of July. Many couples, tortured by almost 6 months separation and travel bans, got immediately excited.
Then a bigger disappointment followed - once they realised that they can't reunite without an entry visa which embassies are refusing to issue. Government and embassies respond to this conundrum with silence and rejection, leaving couples and families stranded while Europeans nonchalantly spend their summer vacation traveling to other countries, even to the ones with surge on new cases. In this way there is a clear message sent - despite the European Directive where family members and registered partners of EU citizens or non-EU holding a residence permit have a full right for FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT, they are low on the priority list and they CANNOT exercise that right. Visas will be given to businessmen, rather than family members. EU citizens can travel wherever they want, spreading the virus between European countries and ignoring advices on safety. But family members and couples are continuing their lives stranded, surviving on video calls and suffering anxiety and separation trauma. This pandemic will last and we need proper strategy for the new normal. We cannot keep families and couples separated while simultaneously resuming tourism. We cannot wait for the pandemics to disappear before allowing essential (and Love is essential) travel to resume. Family and love relationships ARE NOT EQUAL TO TOURISM. Entry visas for family and couples ARE NOT A TOURIST VISA. They should be deemed as essential and exemption. Please spread the word and help us stop this discrimination.