Coronavirus
Spain becomes first EU nation with one million virus cases
Spain has become the first European Union nation to record a million coronavirus infections, official data showed on Wednesday (21 October), as the government mulled fresh restrictions on public life to curb the spread of the disease.
Coronavirus second wave prompts virtual EU summit
European Union leaders will hold a video-conference next week to discuss how to better cooperate against the COVID-19 pandemic as infections rise, European Council President Charles Michel said on Wednesday (21 October).
Viktor Orbán under fire as virus second wave bites
As the second coronavirus wave bites, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán -- who shut the borders in September -- is holding back on tougher measures such as a lockdown, despite growing criticism of his response.
European coronavirus tracing apps are crossing borders
The German Corona-Warn-App now also works in Italy and Ireland, and vice versa, and more countries will be added soon. However, some are being excluded from the outset, because they use a central system, such as France. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Belgium says COVID-19 situation serious as infections reach new highs
The health situation in Belgium is worse than in March during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, with cases of infection reaching new highs and the number of people in hospital doubling each week, officials said.
Global coronavirus cases surpass the 40 million milestone
Worldwide coronavirus cases crossed 40 million on Monday (19 October), according to a Reuters tally, as the onset of winter in the northern hemisphere fuelled a resurgence in the spread of the disease. The Reuters tally is based on official...
Von der Leyen leaves EU summit to self-isolate
EU commission president Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday (15 October) left a summit attended by the bloc's 27 leaders after learning that a staff member had tested positive for the coronavirus.
European Parliament cancels Strasbourg session and goes virtual
The European Parliament will hold next week's plenary session by videoconference as a precaution against coronavirus, European Parliament President Davide Sassoli said Thursday (15 October), despite French insistence on resuming the assembly's monthly Strasbourg sessions.
Paris goes under curfew as Europe ramps up virus restrictions
France on Wednesday (14 October) became the latest European country to toughen anti-coronavirus measures, imposing a curfew in Paris and eight other cities from Saturday, while Germany and Ireland also ramped up restrictions.
The Brief, powered by logos – Back to square one?
The COVID-19 crisis is back at full speed, with a steady stream of incoming news about new risk areas and regions, new quarantine measures and curfews. We’ve been there, done that, but is there anything new in all of this?...
Countries turn to rapid antigen tests to contain second wave of COVID-19
Countries straining to contain a second wave of COVID-19 are turning to faster, cheaper but less accurate tests to avoid the delays and shortages that have plagued efforts to diagnose and trace those infected quickly.
EU makes €1 billion bet on Gilead’s COVID drug before trial results
The European Union has agreed to pay more than €1 billion to US pharmaceutical company Gilead for a six-month supply of its antiviral drug remdesivir, shortly before the publication of final results of the biggest trial of the COVID-19 medication.
To overcome COVID-19, we need to show leadership on seasonal flu vaccination
As we approach the 2020-2021 winter season, we are facing a potential “twindemic” of COVID-19 and seasonal flu. That is why we need to show strong political leadership and take concrete policy measures to secure seasonal flu vaccine uptake, writes MEP Dolors Montserrat.
Borrell and Lenarcic quarantined after trip to Ethiopia
The EU's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, and the bloc's commissioner for humanitarian aid, Janez Lenarcic, said that they were quarantining after coming into contact with people who tested positive for coronavirus during a trip to Ethiopia last week.
Pharma official: COVID-19 vaccines will need no-fault compensation systems
Billions of people across the world will be vaccinated in a very short period of time once a COVID-19 vaccine is available, inevitably resulting in some side-effects that may or may not be linked to the vaccine. For this reason, countries should adopt no-fault compensation systems, a senior pharma official told EURACTIV in an interview.
Indepent report on COVID hotspot Ischgl slams Austrian government’s handling
The Austrian ski resort of Ischgl became the European epicentre of coronavirus infections in March. The local government there has denied any responsibility, but a new independent commission report begs to differ. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Madrid court strikes down government’s COVID-19 restrictions
The regional high court in Madrid on Thursday (8 October) struck down government restrictions that sealed off the Spanish capital and nine of its satellite cities in a bid to curb soaring COVID-19 infection rates, saying the move lacked legal underpinning and breached residents’ “fundamental rights.”
Debate over building confidence in COVID-19 vaccine heats up
EU stakeholders are exploring ways to build up confidence in a future COVID-19 vaccine, after polls across the world have suggested that the public opinion still is not convinced.
COVID-19 and beyond: Confidence and resilience in vaccine ecosystem
The debate over a rapid but safe and effective vaccine to fight the COVID-19 pandemic has heated up in Europe and worldwide.
Spain hopes to create 800,000 jobs with EU recovery funds
€72 billion of Spain’s share of the EU Recovery Fund be invested over the next three years to create 800,000 jobs, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced on Wednesday (7 October). EURACTIV's partner EFE reports.
Europe hits 6m cases as Scotland, Brussels shut bars
With Europe topping six million coronavirus cases, Scotland and Brussels became the latest to introduce curbs on alcohol consumption Wednesday (7 October), while experts detailed the hugely divergent consequences of the pandemic for the world's richest and poorest.
More cooperation, greater inclusion key to preventing a ‘lockdown generation’
Already precarious in many regions of Europe, youth unemployment has spiked dramatically with the onset of COVID-19, sparking fears of another lost generation. At a recent StartNet Conference, policymakers, practitioners, and other stakeholders called for greater cooperation on facilitating young people’s transition to work.
‘No second shutdown’, Germany’s Altmaier promises business leaders
Speaking at the annual Industry Day event, Germany's Economy Minister Peter Altmaier (CDU) promised business leaders that there would not be a second shutdown. He also took the opportunity to be critical of his SPD colleague, Vice-Chancellor Olaf Scholz. EURACTIV Germany reports.