Coronavirus
G7 leaders at UK summit target plan for donating 1 billion jabs
G7 leaders on Friday (11 June) open a three-day summit aimed at helping to end the Covid-19 pandemic and forge a climate-centric economic recovery, after pledging to donate one billion vaccine doses for the world's poorest countries.
The Brief – Strasbourg’s trip-for-jab package
While Europe is vaccinating its teens, without a second thought about giving away doses to vulnerable people in poorer countries, EU parliamentarians got an offer they could not refuse in return for their comeback to Strasbourg.
Spain mulls lifting restrictions for hotels, restaurants, cafes
Spain's health ministry is in favour of gradually lifting restrictions for the hotel, restaurant and cafes sector known as HORECA and is mulling the reopening of nightlife activities for medium-risk regions for COVID-19. EURACTIV’s partner EFE reported.
Cure for summertime blues: Europe gears up for tourists
European tourism has had its worst time in living memory as coronavirus lockdowns, curfews and hotel and restaurant closures have threatened the industry's livelihood and frustrated travellers eager for a change of scenery.
Euro 2020 set to capture continent’s attention but pandemic challenges remain
The Covid-19 pandemic was responsible for its postponement but, with the health situation on the continent gradually improving, the delayed Euro 2020 finally kicks off on Friday (11 June) in Rome.
Spain to also accept travellers with cheaper rapid antigen tests
Spain will allow travellers to enter the country as of Monday if they have been vaccinated against COVID-19, present a negative PCR test or show that they have taken the much cheaper rapid antigen test. EURACTIV’s partner EFE reported.
EU proposes alternative to IP waiver to expand global vaccine access
The EU has set out its plan to boost deliveries of COVID-19 vaccines to developing countries, which banks on open supply chains, encouraging production and compulsory licences rather than an IP waiver.
Waiving vaccine patents saves lives, health campaigners tell the EU
A series of protests have been staged in front of the European Commission and at a vaccine manufacturing plant in Belgium, calling for temporarily lifting of the intellectual property (IP) rights of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.
WHO asks for re-checks of research on when coronavirus first surfaced in Italy
Samples from a study suggesting the coronavirus was circulating outside China by October 2019 have been re-tested at the World Health Organization's (WTO) request, two scientists who led the Italian research said.
Seven EU countries roll out digital COVID certificate to ease travel
The EU digital COVID Certificate reached another “milestone” on Tuesday (6 May) with the go-live of the technical system at the EU level, followed by seven member states that started rolling out their certificates.
Even after US shift, opponents resist COVID-19 vaccine patent waiver
A deal on an intellectual property waiver for COVID-19 vaccines at the World Trade Organization (WTO) was no closer to acceptance on Monday (31 May) despite Washington's backing.
Spain urges EU to quickly approve all national recovery plans
Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Monday urged Brussels to quickly approve all the national recovery plans as this would unblock the funding needed for the economic recovery of countries particularly affected by the pandemic, including Spain.
EU executive urges reopening in summer to vaccinated tourists
The European Commission proposed on Monday (31 May) that vaccinated people should be exempt from testing or quarantines when travelling from one EU country to another, and urged a gradual easing of travel measures as COVID-19 inoculations accelerate.
German ministers to discuss fraud at coronavirus test centers
German Health Minister Jens Spahn and his counterparts in the 16 federal states will on Monday morning (1 June) discuss control mechanisms for coronavirus test centers following fraud accusations, a ministry spokesman said on Sunday.
Spain’s vaccination roll-out is sixth fastest in Europe
Five months after Spain started its COVID-19 vaccination campaign, the country ranked sixth in terms of most doses administered, equivalent to 18 % of its population, EURACTIV’s partner EFE reported.
EU asks for big penalties against AstraZeneca over dose delays
The European Union on Wednesday (26 May) asked a Belgian court to impose penalties running to millions of euros per day on AstraZeneca for COVID-19 vaccine doses it has failed to deliver to the bloc.
EU drug regulator reviewing woman’s death in Belgium after getting J&J shot
The European Union's drug regulator said it is reviewing the death of a woman in Belgium who suffered a blood clot and low platelets after receiving Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine, the first report of a fatality following the vaccine.
France to buff up COVID-app to ensure gradual reopening ‘as secure as possible’
French citizens will be able to use the "TousAntiCovid" app from 9 June, the day sports halls and the interior of bars and restaurants are to reopen, to report their presence in establishments open to the public - and to be contacted if they have come across a person infected with COVID-19.
Von der Leyen: Great progress in fight against COVID-19 must be consolidated
Europe has made great progress in vaccination since the start of May and this is paving the way for societies to reopen safely, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday (25 May), but warned that progress must be consolidated so that we "stay one step ahead of the virus".
Member states approve EU COVID travel certificate
EU leaders approved on Tuesday (25 May) Europe’s COVID-19 Certificate, aimed at facilitating travel across the bloc, following months of discussions with the European Parliament and the Commission.
British woman dies in Cyprus after AstraZeneca jab
A 39-year-old British woman died in a Cypriot hospital after a blood clotting incident after receiving the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, the official Cyprus News Agency said on Monday.
CureVac works to boost production capacity ahead of expected vaccine approval
Germany's CureVac expects European approval of its COVID-19 vaccine in June at the latest and is working to expand production capacity, the Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper quoted a company spokeswoman as saying.
Many issues left to countries’ will on EU COVID certificate
European lawmakers have reached an agreement on the EU digital COVID-19 certificate aimed at avoiding conflicting border rules across the bloc during the holiday season, but some issues related to its implementation will depend on national decision-makers.