EU must pull together to overcome the second wave



Today, European leaders meet for an informal video summit called by European Council President Charles Michel in the hope of better coordinating EU efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. As infection numbers rise to an alarming level in Europe, citizens brace themselves for the second wave and more and more governments have started to put in place more severe measures to bring numbers down.



Sensing the general 'coronavirus fatigue' among Europeans, the EU is keen to learn from the mistakes made during the first wave and is urging Member States to coordinate their strategies for this winter. In an effort to control the disease and protect citizens, the EU is aiming to encourage more synchronised action, exchange and solidarity among countries. This concerns the areas where coordination is still lacking and where countries will need to rely on each other if they want to overcome the second wave, such as testing and tracing, border management and travel, and the procurement of essential supplies like testing kits and vaccines.



Key Texts



European Commission:

Recovery Plan <[link removed]>



European Council:

October summit outcome <[link removed]>



European Parliament study:

The gendered impact of COVID-19 <[link removed](2020)658227_EN.pdf>







Upcoming Dates



30 October

Video conference of health ministers <[link removed]>





3 November

Eurogroup <[link removed]>







The European Movement International position



With coronavirus cases rising across Europe, leaders have no time to waste and must coordinate their strategies. As we argue in our policy position on “A European Response to COVID-19” <[link removed]>, it is paramount that the EU strikes a balance between protecting citizens' safety, physical and mental health, and fundamental rights. Care and support should be accessible to all citizens during a health crisis, especially the most vulnerable. Not only would unilateral, uncoordinated measures put lives at risk, they undermine the trust of citizens, who rely on effective measures and access to accurate and unbiased information. 



The virus cannot be banished behind borders, and potential new restrictions to the freedom of movement should not hinder the functioning of Schengen and of the internal market in the EU. Last but not least, the second wave should also prompt more proactive crisis communication by EU institutions and national governments, thereby reinforcing solidarity and coordination between Member States. 











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The European Movement International - Place du Luxembourg 2, Brussels 1050, Belgium

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