European leaders plan to discuss the Covid-19 pandemic at a videoconference on 29 October (VTC). This was announced by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, to implement the commitments made by the EU27 at the last European Summit (see EUROPE 12583/1).
This meeting, the first in a series, will take place the day after the Commission adopts a Communication on additional measures in response to Covid-19 (28 October, according to the Commission's provisional agenda) and on the eve of an informal meeting of Health Ministers on 30 October.
At the last European Summit, the EU27 called on the EU Council, the Commission and the Member States to continue the overall co-ordination effort on quarantine, cross-border contact tracing, screening strategies, joint evaluation of screening methods, mutual recognition of tests and temporary restrictions on non-essential travel to the EU.
The issue of quarantine periods, which, depending on the Member State, may last between 5 and 14 days, was on the agenda of the Health Security Committee meeting earlier this week. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)