The EU Digital COVID Certificate helped to coordinate travel restrictions between EU countries and was effective in facilitating travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. The impact of other EU tools, however, was modest, a report published by the European Court of Auditors concludes. The European Commission moved fast to propose suitable technological solutions, the auditors found. […]
Impact of surge in China COVID-19 cases on epidemiological situation in EU/EEA
The number of COVID-19 cases has reached a record high in mainland China, peaking on 2 December 2022. In the past three weeks, incidence has fallen, likely also due to a lower number of tests being carried out, resulting in fewer infections being detected. ECDC, together with the EU/EEA Member States and the European Commission […]
Telework doubled in the EU to 41.7 million in 2021
41.7 million people teleworked across the EU in 2021, double the number of 2019, as COVID-19 restrictions and changes in work culture significantly impacted work organisation. While there was a small decline in 2022, this upward trend in teleworking is set to resume as technological developments are increasing the number of teleworkable jobs, and […]
Presidency Statement on the Coordination of COVID-19 Travel Measures
On 4th Janurary, the Member States of the EU, in the presence of the Schengen Associated Countries, met in the framework of the Integrated Political Crisis Response (IPCR) to discuss the epidemiological situation in the EU/EEA and developments in China. The Member States agreed on a coordinated precautionary approach in the light of COVID-19 developments […]
Postdoctoral Researcher about the situation of urban essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland
Offer Description Postdoctoral Researcher: The situation of urban essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic The research team “Spatial Development and Urban Policy – SPUR” led by Prof. Dr David Kaufmann and based at the Institute for Spatial and Landscape Development invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher who examines the situation of urban essential workers during the […]
HERA signs Joint Procurement contract COVID-19 treatments
The Commission’s Health Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) has signed a joint procurement Framework Contract for the supply of Paxlovid, a SARS-CoV-2 protease inhibitor oral treatment for patients with COVID-19 at risk of developing severe disease. The contract is signed with the pharmaceutical company Pfizer and will run for an initial period of 12 months. Thirteen […]
New Omicron sub-lineage likely to cause further increase in covid-19 cases
At least five EU/EEA countries have detected the circulation of the SARS-CoV-2 variant sub-lineage BQ.1 during week 40, 2022. ECDC modelling forecasts predict that BQ1 and its sub-lineage BQ1.1 will become the dominant SARS-CoV2 strains in EU/EEA by mid-November to the beginning of December 2022. This will likely contribute to an increase in the number […]
Fundamental rights in the EU: long-standing problems exacerbated by COVID-19
Parliament’s latest assessment of the state of fundamental rights in the EU identifies numerous concerns and demands member states act in defence of European values. On Thursday, MEPs assessed the state of fundamental values in the EU in 2020 – 2021, identifying areas of concern and proposing ways to protect freedom, equality and the rule […]
Team Europe has delivered €47.7 billion to help the pandemic
Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in early 2020, the EU, EU Member States and European financial institutions, as Team Europe, have disbursed €47.7 billion in support of partner countries in addressing the pandemic and its consequences, delivering on its promises with concrete results. This figure exceeds by far the initial €20 billion Team Europe support […]