The European Commission has warned against hasty and ill-considered measures against the coronavirus and has called on EU countries not to act unilaterally.
The European Commission states that health matters and public transport are indeed national competences of each country, but points out that drastic decisions are better made collectively.
The European Commission responds to Austria's decision last Saturday evening to not allow the international train from Northern Italy to Southern Germany to pass through its territory, because possibly infected travelers might be on board. However, after a few hours, the train was allowed to continue.
Measures by EU countries against the coronavirus must be proportional and coordinated, and based on scientific advice. Restricting the free movement of persons is indeed a competence of the member states, but such decisions must be made in consultation, said EU Commissioner Janez Lenarčič (Crisis Management) and Stella Kyriakides (Health) on Monday during a press conference.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) have not yet advised any new travel or trade restrictions. The two institutions will visit Italy on Tuesday to assess the situation. Emergency scenarios are being prepared but coordinated suspension of free movement in the Schengen area is not currently under consideration.
The European Union will allocate €232 million to combat the spread of the virus. €114 million will go to the World Health Organization to better enable countries to cope with the virus. Furthermore, €100 million, nearly half of which comes from the pharmaceutical industry, will be allocated for vaccine development.
The chance of an outbreak of the new coronavirus as seen in Italy occurring in other European countries is "moderate to high," warns the ECDC. The number of infections in northern Italy has grown rapidly in recent days. Four people have died and more than 150 have been infected with the Covid-19 virus.
The government in Rome has closed off several places from the outside world. Several European countries have issued warnings to tourists and travelers to avoid areas in Northern Italy.