With health systems again under pressure, more needs to be done to control and overcome the situation, protecting lives and livelihoods, and promoting European solidarity. Whilst cooperation between Member States has improved since the start of the pandemic, it remains essential if we are to tackle effectively the threats we face. Unilateral and uncoordinated action undermines the impact of the EU’s response and the confidence of citizens.

The European Council underlined the need for more cooperation: “to continue the overall coordination effort based on the best available science, notably regarding quarantine regulations, cross-border contact tracing, testing strategies, the joint assessment of testing methods, the mutual recognition of tests, and the temporary restriction on non-essential travel into the EU”. This mirrors a strong wish amongst citizens for a strong EU role. The Commission sets out next steps in key areas to reinforce the EU’s response.

1. Ensuring the flow of information to allow informed decision-making

This will allow for a better use of tools to target EU support where it is most needed. For example, accurate mapping of intensive care bed availability would help in the transfer of patients or medical teams between Member States, which can be supported through a €220 million mobility action already in place.

2. Effective and rapid testing

The Commission is now mobilising €100 million under the Emergency Support Instrument to directly purchase rapid antigen tests and deliver them to the Member States, based on clear criteria reflecting defined needs at national level and stringent quality criteria. In parallel, the Commission is also launching a joint procurement to enable a second stream of access for Member States to these promising tests.

3. Making full use of contact tracing apps

Contact tracing is one of the most critical tools to prevent the spread of the virus and break transmission chains. But as infection rates increase, manual contact tracing operations become more difficult. Contact tracing and warning apps can make a real difference by using digital technology to send warnings more quickly.

4. Effective vaccination

Contracts with upfront payments of €1.02 billion have been signed so far, with exploratory talks concluded with three companies involving a further €1.45bn in upfront payments.

5. Effective communication to citizens

Effective communication is a critical element of any public health crisis response. The success or failure of pandemic response largely depends on community engagement, individual behaviour and adherence to public health recommendations. It is therefore imperative that there is a sustained communication effort to keep citizens up to date on epidemiological developments as well as possible restrictive measures, which need to be consistent and clear in order to foster compliance among citizens.

6. Securing essential supplies

In case of emergency needs, reflecting European solidarity, under both the rescEU reserve of medical equipment and the Emergency Support Instrument, equipment such as ventilators and masks as well as therapeutics, such as Remdesivir, have been delivered to the Member States with most acute needs.

7. Facilitating safe travel

It is important to ensure a consistent implementation of the list of essential travellers exempted from quarantine requirements. This has important economic as well as personal implications, and we must allow our economy to continue functioning even as restrictions on non-essential movement are tightened to slow the spread of COVID-19. The Commission will continue to monitor the situation carefully.

8. Extending the Green Lanes

Extending the Green Lane approach would aim at ensuring that where Member States in fact impose temporary restrictions at borders or sanitary controls, these do not excessively hamper the Single Market, and in particular, the free movement of goods, the freedom to provide cross-border services, and the free movement of frontier workers and transport workers across borders.

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