Coronavirus
Poland to check virus respect of regulations in shops, following virus pick
Poland's health minister said police health authorities would start checks in shops this week to see if people are following regulations to keep their mouths and noses covered after the country hit daily cases record.
In southern Spain, fruit pickers ditched as virus spreads
Lamine Diakite has been on the street for two weeks since the Spanish shantytown he was staying in burnt down, one of the hundreds of fruit pickers abandoned as coronavirus cases soar.
Autumn challenges ahead as COVID rates rise amid European travel season
Several European countries are experiencing a surge in coronavirus cases as holidaymakers set out to enjoy the last month of summer but experts are more concerned about a potential increase in COVID-19 infections in autumn, when it may coincide with the regular flu season.
After backlash, Madrid rows back on COVID ‘immunity card’
Authorities in the Spanish capital Madrid backtracked on Wednesday (29 July) over a highly-criticised plan to give an "immunity card" to people testing positive for coronavirus antibodies so they can enjoy higher-risk areas like gyms, bars and museums.
UK unveils cycling and walking stimulus plan
Prime Minister Boris Johnson launched a £2 billion package on Monday (27 July) aimed at incentivising walking and cycling as the UK lockdown eases. EURACTIV's partner edie.net reports.
Austrian health minister wants to ‘repair’ coronavirus measures following court ruling
Austria's anti-coronavirus measures were partly illegal, as the country's Constitutional Court confirmed last week. On Tuesday (28 July), Health Minister Rudolf Anschober (Greens) acknowledged the mistakes and announced plans to reorganise his ministry and amend the Epidemic Law. EURACTIV Germany reports.
New coronavirus cluster in an Austrian village brings fears of a ‘second Ischgl’
In the picturesque village of St. Wolfgang in Upper Austria, a new coronavirus cluster was identified last week, with 53 new infections confirmed over the weekend, mostly in workers in the tourism sector. This fuels fears of a "second Ischgl." EURACTIV Germany reports.
COVID-19: Why did the ‘good pupil’ Bulgaria lag behind?
Bulgaria was among the EU countries with the less cases of COVID-19 until mid-June, when measures were relaxed. Now Bulgarians are shocked that other EU nations introduce conditions to admit their compatriots on their soil.
The Brief – Breaking (for) summer
This summer will be different. Travelling in the time of COVID-19 is not a pleasure, even inside Europe, and especially if you live in the EU and want to go to another continent. Intercontinental travel has almost completely stopped, only...
Fearing second COVID wave, Belgian government passes tighter measures
With the daily rate of COVID-19 infections on the rise, Belgium's National Security Council (CNS) decided on Thursday (23 July) to extend the obligations to wear masks and fill in a travel form for returning from vacation, and to postpone phase 5 of deconfinement.
Global virus infections pass 15 million as Latin America cases soar
The number of COVID-19 infections around the world passed 15 million Wednesday (22 July), with Latin America and the Caribbean, one of the hardest-hit regions, notching more than four million cases.
Structural discrimination against elderly increased during COVID-19, says FRA study
The coronavirus pandemic has hit older people hard, with age-related stereotypes reinforced and freedom of movement restricted, according to a study published by the Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) at the end of June. However, the pandemic may have brought generations closer together again in the short term. EURACTIV Germany reports.
UK, US and Canada accuse Russia of vaccine research hacking
Britain, the United States and Canada on Thursday (16 July) risked worsening fraught diplomatic ties with Russia by accusing Moscow-linked hackers of targeting labs in their countries conducting coronavirus vaccine research.
US exempts European students from coronavirus travel restrictions
Foreign students coming from Europe are exempt from a travel ban the United States imposed because of the coronavirus pandemic, the US State Department told congressional offices on Thursday (16 July).
Kazakhstan takes measures to offset relaxation of COVID-19 measures
The international community recognised the successes of the measures taken by Kazakhstan during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring. Things have changed since then, however, and this time, Kazakhstan needs to respond to an increase of cases resulting from relaxation of measures.
National recovery plan, taxes, subsidised contracts… Macron’s three economic priorities
In a Bastille Day interview with French media on Tuesday (14 July), President Emmanuel Macron detailed his economic orientation for the final two years of his five-year term. EURACTIV's media partner Ouest-France reports.
Recovery money is not a gift, says Italy’s EU ambassador
The EU’s proposed €750 billion recovery fund should not be seen as a gift to EU member states. Rather, it is a financial instrument to fund the greening, digitalisation and competitiveness of the European economy, Italy's Permanent Representative to the EU, Maurizio Massari, told EURACTIV in an interview.
Have German tourists in Mallorca created a second Ischgl-like ‘hotspot’?
Beer and sangria flowed in abundance in Mallorca as German tourists celebrated at the 'Ballermann' party strip, ignoring coronavirus hygiene rules. Now the island is drawing the consequences, and threatening with penalties. EURACTIV's media partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.
UN Sec-Gen insists on climate pact-compliant virus recovery
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called on governments to make sure coronavirus bailouts, especially those in the transport sector, are compatible with the goals of the Paris Agreement on climate change.
EU’s trade deals can put an end to deforestation
The EU must take an aggressive “stick and carrot” approach to trade deals in order to put an end to deforestation and avert a next pandemic, writes Fazlun Khalid.
Coronavirus, pension reform and more – what France’s new PM has said so far
France's new prime minister, Jean Castex, shed some new light on his government team, coronavirus, pensions and unemployment insurance reform in just his second interview since his appointment on 3 July. EURACTIV's partner, Ouest-France reports.
The Brief, powered by BSEF – The price of delay
Boris Johnson’s UK government has been widely flayed, quite rightly, for its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Slow to lockdown and slow to test and trace, the result is the highest death toll in Europe. But Johnson and his Finance...
Italy will not accept ‘weak compromise’ on EU recovery fund, PM says
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said on Tuesday (7 July) the European Union must act decisively to build a common response to the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, urging that support measures be activated rapidly.