Member States’ Ambassadors to the EU (Coreper) continued their discussions on Friday 11 September on the coordination of national measures to deal with Covid-19 and restrictions on intra-EU movement.
In particular, they considered the draft recommendation to this effect from the European Commission (see EUROPE 12553/1). However, this recommendation is seen as an additional contribution, as various working documents are in fact on the table for the ambassadors, including one from the German Presidency.
According to one source, the ambassadors have agreed to move forward in stages and are expected to have a progress report on Friday 18 September at a further Coreper meeting.
It was noted at today’s meeting that “any measures taken must comply with EU law on free movement”.
It has not yet been possible to agree on a common colour code or a similar duration of quarantine, but the ambassadors wished to continue discussions on “data to assess the situation (incidence rates, testing, mortality rates and hospitalisations)”, and the data that should actually be taken into account. Progress has been made in this regard.
The aim will also be to inform the public “as early as possible”, but also the Member States, with mutual information sharing, if possible within 72 to 48 hours, if the situation permits. Further meetings of the IPCR, the EU Integrated Political Crisis Response structure, will take place next Monday and Thursday. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)