EU urges countries to keep Covid-19 in check over festive season

The European Union yesterday urged countries to reinforce their healthcare systems and coordinate restrictions on social gatherings ahead of the Christmas holiday season, to avoid a resurgence of Covid-19 cases.

After a surge of cases in October and November, many European countries have reined in infections by imposing stricter lockdowns and social restrictions.

The European Commission yesterday urged governments to keep up measures on physical distancing and mask wearing over the Christmas holidays, and require people to self-isolate before and after social gatherings if rules on meetings are temporarily loosened during the festive season.

This self-quarantine should be for "at least seven" days, the Commission said. Countries should consider banning mass gatherings, while there should be "clear criteria" for small events.

Brussels encouraged countries to use "household bubbles" to limit social contacts if they loosen restrictions during the holidays, and said countries could extend school holidays or impose a period of online learning after the festive season, to act as a buffer against infections.

Hospitals should prepare "surge capacities" in staffing and tap EU programs to secure protective equipment when needed, the Commission said.

It called on countries to expand testing capacities to track local virus outbreaks, and expand public transport capacity, where possible, to avoid overcrowding. Masks should be mandatory on public transport, the Commission said.

Health policy is a national prerogative in the 27-country bloc and the EU Commission can only make recommendations for common measures.

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The US is the worst-affected country with 270,691 deaths, followed by Brazil with 173,817, India with 138,122, Mexico with 106,765 and the UK with 59,051.

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