The European Commission confirmed on Tuesday 24 March that it had received a letter from the Chair of Parliament's Civil Liberties Committee, Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D, Spain), calling for an evacuation plan to be put in place for migrant camps on the Greek island of Lesbos to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.
"We can confirm that we received the letter. We are fully aware of the situation", said Adalbert Jahnz, spokesperson on migration. In his letter sent on 23 March, Mr. López Aguilar calls for the evacuation from Lesbos of those at risk, namely migrants over 60 years of age with diabetes, respiratory problems or other diseases. Additional funding should also be made available, he said, to support the island's hospitalisation capacity and to continue the planned relocation of unaccompanied minors in some ten Member States (see EUROPE 12449/15, 12446/8).
The Commission is working with the Greek authorities on an action plan to manage a potential spread of the epidemic. "We are also providing health assistance, with funding for the deployment of doctors and medical teams", and steps are being taken "to transfer people from the island to the mainland", it said in its response.
On the relocation of minors to the Member States, which would involve at least 1,600 young migrants, the Commission would simply point out that it hopes to implement this programme "as soon as possible".
For the rest, the spokesperson referred to the national measures taken by the Greek government to guard against a health crisis in the migrant camps. He cited measures such as mandatory screening of new arrivals, suspension of all visits and certain activities, and the establishment of places to contain and quarantine potential patients. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)