The European Commission
The European Commission on Monday (March 2nd) appointed a response team to the spread of the coronavirus epidemic, which includes five European Commissioners: Janez Lenarčič, who is in charge of crisis management, Stella Kyriakides, who is in charge of health, and Ylva Johansson, for border issues, Adina Vălean, responsible for mobility, and Paolo Gentiloni, for macroeconomic issues. The response team will work on three main pillars: first, the medical field, which covers prevention and the purchase of protective materials, information and forecasting. The pillar works in close cooperation with the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control and the European Medicines Agency. The second pillar covers mobility, from transport to travel tips and Schengen questions. The third pillar covers the economy. It examines in depth various sectors, such as tourism, transport, trade.
The European Commission has also launched a dedicated COVID-19 website. The site provides information on medical, civil protection, mobility, economic and statistical issues, as well as links to dedicated Member States' websites, the latest studies and other relevant information.
In addition, the Commission launched an accelerated procurement procedure for personal protective equipment, together with 20 Member States, with invitations to tender to a number of selected companies identified through a market analysis. This will facilitate the necessary and equitable access to personal protective equipment for Member States. The signing of the contract should be completed in early April, at the earliest, according to the European Commission.
On Tuesday, European Commission Vice-President Vera Jourová meets with representatives of online platforms to discuss the issue of misinformation in the context of the COVID-19 epidemic.
European Parliament
The European Parliament will no longer allow visitors access for three weeks as part of precautions to reduce the spread of coronavirus, EP President David Sassoli has announced. "Parliament's work will continue, but seminars, events and other activities involving external visitors will be suspended," David Sassoli told a news conference. According to the President of the European Parliament, events that will not take place in the next three weeks include delegations, committee hearings, visits by MEP guests, seminars, exhibitions and cultural events, events organized by political groups or restaurants in Parliament. Instead, media access will not be blocked. Parliament operates at its headquarters in Brussels for most of the year, but has a plenary session once a month in Strasbourg, France. (Www.g4media.ro)