Cross-border Families and the Movement Constraints Along the Polish-German Borderland During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Drawing on the findings of previous research on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cross border movement within the European Union and the separation of cross-border families, the study focuses on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cross-border movement of Polish families within the European Union and, more specifically, on the situation of Polish families separated by the borders that remain withing the Schengen Area. The study explores the ways in which Covidfencing has dramatically restricted the free movement of the UE citizens within the Schengen Area, especially between Poland and Germany. Using research methods such as literature review, participating observation and interview, the researcher identifies key factors that has shaped the migration crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic inside the Schengen area and then focuses on examining in greater detail commuting and migration problems of the Polish cross-border families. The research is organised by the hypothesis that has been assumed at the start of the research. The hypothesis argues that the Polish cross-border families have been significantly affected by the crossborder movement restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic within the Schengen area. The findingsof the research indicate the validity of such assumption and the need for further research in this direction.