As the novel coronavirus spread through Europe, heads of government quickly began to close their national borders in an attempt to reduce movement and the spread of the disease. These hasty measures threatened one of the fundamental tenets of the European Union: the freedom of movement, and the Schengen Zone, which guarantees visa and border-free travel in 26 states.

The reinstatement of border checks has led to claims by pundits and journalists that the Schengen Agreement, which underpins the freedom of movement between its signatories, is dead. These arguments were at least partially echoed by French President Emmanuel Macron, an ardent supporter of the European Union.