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In the fight against the Corona crisis, EU Council President Charles Michel urgently calls for a common line of the 27 EU states on quarantine rules, tests and tracing apps. So far the desired results have not yet been achieved, Michel criticized on Tuesday. Now decisive action is called for, because “every day counts”.
With rapidly increasing corona infections, first intensive care units in Europe have already reported an overload. These include provinces in Belgium, Great Britain and the Czech Republic.
Michel expressed extreme concern ahead of the Corona video summit of EU heads of state and government scheduled for Thursday. “The situation is escalating from worrying to alarming,” the Council President wrote in a newsletter. “Now we have to prevent a tragedy.”
Rapid antigen tests
Specifically, Michel called for coordinated approval of rapid antigen tests. Their production had to be strategically secured at European level. This is because the PCR tests that have been mainly used up to now require too much effort and laboratory capacity.
As a second point, the Council President mentioned an effective method for tracing infections. To this end, the EU states would have to agree on a common standard for compatible, secure and effective tracing apps that also protect privacy. In addition, common rules for self-isolation and quarantine were necessary.
Common approach to vaccination
Michel also urged a common approach to vaccination. A vaccine is expected to be available in late 2020 or early 2021, but not for everyone. “We must avoid chaos at all costs,” wrote the council leader. Criteria are needed for the distribution of future vaccines in Europe, but also in the respective countries to groups that are to be given first, such as the elderly or health workers. The logistics for distribution and cooling of the vaccines must also be solved.
hp, with reports from krone.at. Picture: stockilyapp.com
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