- Within the European Union, COVID-19 hotspots will be identified as “dark red” regions
- EU leaders also acceded that it should be possible to agree on common standards for vaccine certificates
- Von der Leyen mentioned that with surging infections and discovery of new mutations of the virus, non-essential travel should be “strongly discouraged”
THoD Newsdesk, Europe: Within the European Union, COVID-19 hotspots will be identified as “dark red” regions and it is being made mandatory for travellers from those particular areas, to take a test before departure. They will even have to undergo quarantine upon arrival at their destination, the body announced on Thursday. EU leaders also acceded that it should be possible to agree on common standards for vaccine certificates for medical purposes.
At a briefing after a video conference between EU leaders, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, stated, “A dark red zone would show that in this zone, the virus is circulating at a very high level.” Leyen further added, “Persons travelling from dark red areas could be required to do a test before departure, as well as to undergo quarantine after arrival.”
Von der Leyen also mentioned that with surging infections and discovery of new mutations of the virus, non-essential travel should be “strongly discouraged” within the region but essential workers and goods must be allowed to carry on. European Council President, Charles Michel said, “In terms of non-essential movements restrictions should be possible to consider.”
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, vocalized that European countries need to take the new mutation found in Britain seriously to avoid a third wave. “We can’t rule out border closures, but want to prevent them though cooperation within the European Union,” she told a news conference in Berlin.
Alexander De Croo, prime minister of Belgium, told VRT, “The slightest spark could push the figures back up again. We need to protect our good position.”
However, Emmanuel Macron, the French President remarked that vaccine passports needed to be looked at with “great caution”, particularly because it is not yet clear if vaccinated people could still aid in the transmission of the virus.
