Covid in China: Brussels seeks a “coordinated approach” and calls a meeting this Thursday

Europe 1 with AFP 12:04 p.m., December 29, 2022

The European Commission convened a meeting on Thursday to "discuss (...) possible measures for a coordinated approach" of EU states to the explosion of Covid cases in China.

“In light of the situation of the pandemic in China”, the European executive will convene a committee on Thursday morning bringing together representatives of the ministries of health of the Twenty-Seven, a spokesperson for the Commission told AFP.

The objective is to "discuss with the Member States and the European (health) agencies of the EU possible measures for a coordinated European approach", she specified.

After the sudden end this month of the "zero Covid" policy in China, which led to a very large wave of contamination in the country, several States in the world are concerned about the possibility of the spread from the Asian country. new variants of the virus.

First steps taken around the world

Italy has already decided on Wednesday to impose compulsory tests on all travelers coming from China.

A measure already taken in Japan, and which the United States also adopted on Wednesday.

Elsewhere in the EU, other countries are waiting: the President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron has "requested appropriate measures to protect" the French from the government, which ensures "to follow very carefully the evolution of the situation in China".

Paris says it is "ready to study all the useful measures that could be implemented as a result, in conjunction with France's European partners, and within the legal framework that exists today".

The European Commission should strive to prevent certain EU member states from going it alone by adopting restrictions at their borders without consultation, as at the very beginning of the pandemic in spring 2020.

"An emergency brake"

At the beginning of December, on the recommendation of the Commission, the Twenty-Seven had agreed to remove all restrictions on entry into the EU for travelers from third countries and return to the pre-pandemic situation.

While reserving, however, “an emergency brake”: the possibility of reintroducing restrictive measures “in a coordinated manner” if the epidemiological situation so requires.

"The BF.7 Omicron variant that is prevalent in China is already present in Europe and has not increased significantly there. However, we remain vigilant and ready to use the +emergency brake+ if necessary," the gate said. - speech of the Commission.