BRUSSELS: The European Union should solely raise coronavirus restrictions slowly and progressively to keep away from one other wave of infections, the pinnacle of the bloc’s govt mentioned on Thursday (Nov 19).
Ursula von der Leyen spoke after the 27 nationwide leaders mentioned stepping up joint testing efforts within the bloc, doling out vaccines, and coordinating easing lockdowns as a second wave of the pandemic weighs on Europe.
“We’ve all discovered from the expertise in the summertime that the exit from a wave … may be very tough and that … lifting measures too swiftly has had a really dangerous influence on the epidemiological state of affairs in summer season and fall,” she mentioned.
“Due to this fact, this time expectations need to be managed. We’ll make a proposal for a gradual and coordinated method of lifting … containment measures. This might be essential to keep away from the danger of yet one more wave.”
Europe has had about 11.three million confirmed COVID-19 circumstances and almost 280,000 individuals have died, in accordance with knowledge from the European Centre for Illness Prevention and Management. The pandemic has additionally thrust the EU into its deepest recession.
“We have to be taught previous classes and be cautious after we raise restrictions. It ought to be gradual and progressive. All of us need to have a good time at the top of the yr holidays, however safely. Let’s ring within the new yr safely,” mentioned Charles Michel, chairman of the EU leaders’ talks.
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo mentioned the bloc wanted a joint technique for the winter journey to keep away from “a 3rd ‘Christmas’ wave”.
VACCINES
Von der Leyen mentioned her Fee was broadening its search of a vaccine by way of talks with Moderna and Novavax.
“And we’re engaged on a vaccination marketing campaign to assist member states within the communication on the significance of vaccines. It’s self-protection and it’s solidarity,” she added.
Michel mentioned the variety of individuals skeptical of vaccination was rising within the EU and that the bloc would launch a marketing campaign to persuade them to alter their minds. He mentioned he hoped the bloc would get vaccines in 2021.
“Vaccination priorities are comparable in most member states, first medical employees, then susceptible individuals,” German Chancellor Angela Merkel instructed journalists after the digital EU leaders’ gathering.
