24th February, 2020
The European Commission (EC), on Monday announces a further 232 million euros ($251 million) to tackle the current coronavirus outbreak, after a surge in cases in Italy.
The commission also urged member states against rash responses without weighing up the scientific evidence.
According to EU Crisis Management Commissioner, Janez Lenarcic, with more than 2,600 lives lost already, there is no option but to prepare at all levels.
Around half of the funding is to help WHO improve preparedness and response work in countries with weak health systems.
The bulk of the remaining funds will go toward scientific research, such as vaccines.
Lenarcic, however, added that measures such as border closures within Europe’s passport-free Schengen zone should only be based on risk assessments, scientific advice and proportionality.
Meanwhile, EU member state experts are due to meet on Monday, and a team of WHO and EU experts are due in Italy on Tuesday respectively. – NAN