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EU announces aid package to tackle Coronavirus outbreak

Stella Kyriakides EU Commissioner for Health, and Janez Lenarcic, EU Commissioner for Crisis Management speaking at the press conf.
Stella Kyriakides EU Commissioner for Health, and Janez Lenarcic, EU Commissioner for Crisis Management speaking at the press conf.
BRUSSELS, Feb 24 (KUNA) -- The European Union Monday announced a new aid package worth EUR 232 million (USD 251 million) to boost global preparedness, prevention and containment of the COVID-19 virus.
"With more than 2,600 lives lost already and the epidemic has already affected 28 countries this is a global challenge and requires the cooperation of the entire international community," Janez Lenarcic, EU Commissioner for Crisis Management, told a press conference here.
"Our new aid package will support the World Health Organisation and target funding to ensure countries with weaker health systems are not left behind. Our goal is to contain the outbreak at a global level," he noted.
He explained that out of the amount, EUr 114 million (USD 123 million) will go to support the World Health Organization (WHO); EUR 90 million (USD 97 million) to a Public Private Partnership with the pharmaceutical industry on the search for a vaccine, and EUR 15 million (USD 16 million) are planned to be allocated for Africa.
On her part, Stella Kyriakides, EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, told the joint press conference that following the developments in Italy, the EU's executive body is stepping up its support to EU Member States in the context of the ongoing work on preparedness, contingency and response planning.
"In view of the rapidly evolving situation, we stand ready to increase our assistance. In this vein, a joint expert mission of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the World Health Organisation will depart to Italy this week to support the Italian authorities," she said.
According to media reports, Italy has the largest number of Coronavirus cases in Europe - 150 with at least three deaths.
Replying to questions whether the European Commission is thinking of imposing travel restrictions or suspending the visa-free Schengen travel zone, the Commissioner said the competence for restricting travel rests on EU member states and not on the Commission.
"We are facing an unfolding situation, a complex situation and decisions need to be made on risk assessment and scientific advice and need to be proportionate," added Kyriakides. (end) nk.hb