The European Commission has proposed testing of travelers from China before they leave the country and increased surveillance of sewage in airplanes as possible measures to control the arrival in the European Union (EU) of people traveling from the Asian country in view of the outbreak of Covid-19 cases and the withdrawal of most restrictions.
At Tuesday’s meeting of the Health Security Committee (HSC), all Member States agreed on a coordinated approach to the «changing» COVID-19 situation in China and the implications of the arrival in Europe of travelers from the Asian giant, a Commission spokesperson confirmed.
Brussels has prepared a draft opinion to guide the discussion which will now be revised and adopted on the basis of input from member states at the meeting, while a further discussion will take place this Wednesday at the Integrated Policy Response to Crises (IPCR) mechanism meeting, convened by the Swedish Council presidency.
Thus, it will be up to the Member States to discuss the draft opinion of the Health Security Committee, which proposes measures on personal hygiene and sanitation for travelers (including the recommendation to wear masks on flights from China), control of waste water from aircraft, genomic surveillance at airports and enhanced screening and sequencing, increased EU vigilance in testing and vaccination or pre-testing of passengers from China.
According to the same Commission spokesperson, the «vast majority» of EU countries are in favor of pre-departure testing, while all measures would have to target the «most appropriate» flights and airports and be carried out in a coordinated manner to ensure their effectiveness.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
