Brussels evaluates coordinated measures after Italy announced restrictions for travelers from that country
The European Comission (EC) has convened this Thursday the Health Security Committee to evaluate possible coordinated measures against the rebound in coronavirus cases in china, after Italy announced restrictions for travelers from that country.
“In light of the current situation of COVID-19 in China, the Commission has convened the Health Security Committee this Thursday to discuss with Member States and European Union (EU) agencies possible measures for a coordinated approach” Community spokesman Daniel Ferrie told Efe, in relation to Italy’s announcement that it is going to impose a mandatory coronavirus test on those arriving from China.
Ferrie recalled that, in October, the EC had proposed an update of the two recommendations of the Council of the Union on the free movement within the EU and travel to the 27 to adapt to the improvement of the epidemiological situation.
The restrictions were lifted but an “emergency brake” was maintained. that could be activated if necessary to reintroduce restrictions in a coordinated way.
These updates were agreed by the Member States on December 7, said the spokesman, who explained that it was agreed to return to a pre-pandemic approach of free movement and travel without any measures related to COVID-19.
“If the epidemiological situation required it, measures related to COVID-19 could be reintroduced in a coordinated manner and following a people-based approach,” he said.
He also alluded to the omicron variant BF7’s coronavirusprevalent in China, is already present in Europe and “has not grown significantly & rdquor ;.
“However, we remain vigilant and will be prepared to use the emergency brake if necessary,” he concluded.
The United States joined Italy, India, Taiwan, South Korea, Malaysia and Japan on Wednesday in announcing new measures after China registered an exponential increase in covid cases after announcing the relaxation of the strong restrictions it maintained.
To justify the move, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cited rising infections and a lack of adequate and transparent information from China, including the genomic sequence of strains.