EU to Fight COVID-19

Last year when novel coronavirus first reared its ugly head in the wet market of Wuhan, China, no one had batted an eye. Even when Chinese markets kept crashing, casualties shot up, WHO had issued its first batch of alert, very few were concerned about the nature of this soon to the pandemic which they had not imagined in their worst nightmares. Even US President Donald Trump ignored the early signs. However, things escalated when Italy emerged as the new epicenter for the COVID-19. Pretty soon, what followed next was batches of warnings, cautionary messages on health, and mayhem.

Yet the European Union (EU), after analyzing the situation, began its preparation to fight this deadly pandemic. Prioritizing the safety and health of the citizens of its member nations, the EU buckled up to issue a series of protocols to mitigate the situation. Additionally,the EU assured to rally up the available resources across borders to help countries coordinate with each other in an effective containment of the pandemic and reduce its impact on the socio-economic fabric of the region. The common objectives were to check the spread of the virus, provide immediate medical aid, boost research programs on finding the cure, and sustain the market and depreciating economy. Besides, they agreed to help patients from third world countries and non-EU members and deport EU citizens stuck abroad.

As stated above, the first step was to limit the spread of the virus. The EU had agreed to have an organized temporary restriction on non-essential travel to the EU and shutdown of critically worst-hit areas. Italy was the first to issue a nation-wide lockdown, which started on 8th March, Milan, Lombardy, and 14 other provinces. The other nation then followed the similar pursuit with Ireland and Netherlands closing school by 15th March, France enforced lockdown on 17th March. The UK, Spain too announced lockdown measures later that month.

On 17th March, following a mandate created by the EU, the European Commission launched an advisory panel on COVID-19. This board was composed of epidemiologists and virologists from the different Member States, with a shared goal to formulate EU guidelines on science-based and coordinated risk management measures.According to which, through rigorous, coordinated communication among the governing bodies, the EU had to launch robust response measures even when lifting of the lockdown and come up with plans to revive economies.

The next phase involved delivering a surplus amount of PPEs and manufacturing or procuring them from other nations.  COVID-19 Clearing House was, therefore, setup to manage the supply and demand chains. European Union then made four different launch plans for the collection of vital medical equipment viz.

  • 28th February 2020 - call for gloves and surgical gowns
  • 17th March 2020 - two calls, the first covering face masks, gloves, goggles, face-shields, surgical masks and overalls, and the second for ventilators
  • 19th March - call for testing kits

Furthermore, the support was not only from economic fronts or donations; several nations lend a helping hand regardless of their struggles. For example, France has donated masks, and Germany has distributed medical equipment to Italy. Luxembourg transported other critical patients from France,while the Czech Republic has offered protective suits to Italy and Spain. EU also established a common European reserve of medical equipment known as the ‘rescEU’ stockpile, which collected masks and ventilators for delivering to areas as per their emergency levels.

Then, the EU invested more than a hundred million euros to fund researches to develop vaccines, new treatments, diagnostic tests, and medical systems to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and to save lives. Not only have that, but initially EU also spent€164 million for SMEs and startups for innovative solutions to tackle the COVID-19 outbreak via the European Innovation Council accelerator program. Likewise, it has already collaborated with tech giants, monitoring companies and research and university teams to look for better solutions and shared data platform for the stakeholders for easier accessibility, collection of data, and to fight misinformation.

Then the European Union had to take action to sustain the jobs, businesses, and market in the COVID-19 hit areas. A €540 billion package was announced for the same. All the national authorities had to permit automatic stabilizers to function and implement all necessary measures to ensure that the economic consequences of COVID-19 are tackled and do not harm their economic and social achievements. These measures include instant fiscal spending targeted at containment and treatment of the disease by supplying enough resources to health sectors and civil protection systems; liquidity support for firms facing severe disruption and liquidity shortages, especially SMEs and firms in severely affected industries and regions, including transport and tourism. This includes tax measures, public guarantees to help companies to borrow, export guarantees, and waiving of delay penalties in public procurement contracts. Like for instance, the European Investment Bank is offering liquidity funds to small and medium companies. And lastly, support for affected workers to avoid employment and income losses, including short-term work support, an extension of sick pay and unemployment benefits, and deferral of income tax payments.

Moreover, the EU increased flexibility in the use of structural funds. This means now member states can transfer monetary aid to other regions and bodies and also request total financing from the EU for their coronavirus pandemic recovery programs. Priority lanes are instituted for transporting goods within regional borders. And a proposal for recovery of the economy on the grounds of EU budget (Multiannual Financial Framework), opting for greener and digital economic growth.

While the economic shock and economic contraction due to COVID-19 is expected to worsen this year, by acknowledging the distress in the EU nations via sympathy and solidarity, the EU is doing its’ part in the fight against the pandemic. What are the measures taken by your country? Do let us know in the comment box.