Coronavirus outbreak: ENVI members discussed latest developments
During its meeting on 5 March, the ENVI committee members had an exchange with the Commission on the EU’s response to the novel coronavirus COVID-19 and in particular on the tasks of the new Corona response team, consisting of Commissioners Stella Kyriakides (Health and Food Safety), Janez Lenarčič (Crisis management), Ylva Johansson (border-related issues), Adina Vălean (mobility) and Paolo Gentiloni (macroeconomic aspects).
The Commission also gave an update on how the Member States are currently dealing with the situation at national and regional level. Andrea Ammon, Executive Director of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control attended the meeting via videoconference and replied to members' questions.
The debate took place as an increasing number of cases are registered in Europe, notably in some specific areas of northern Italy, and a number of measures have been put in place to contain and reduce the risk of contagion.