Question for written answer E-001341/2020 to the Commission Rule 138 (S&D), (S&D), Simona Bonafè (S&D), (S&D), (S&D), (S&D), (S&D), (S&D), (S&D), (S&D), Giuseppe Ferrandino (S&D), (S&D), (S&D), (S&D), (S&D)

Subject: Health emergency in the EU

Since December 2019, the COVID-19 virus, which, it is assumed, originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan, has spread around the world. No vaccine is available for this highly contagious and rapidly spreading virus which poses a threat to the elderly and persons with an immunodeficiency and has a significant mortality rate. National health systems are therefore under pressure and Member States have responded in a number of different ways. Faced with challenges of this nature which can have a dramatic effect on public health and the EU economy, what is needed is a highly coordinated, if not unified, response by the Member States.

Will the Commission say: will it recommend a joint approach of this kind based on Article 168 (6) TFEU and in compliance with the Schengen system? in order to safeguard the right to health (Article 35 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights) and promote health (Articles 9 and 168 TFEU), does it consider it advisable to strengthen the preventive measures to be taken in the event of a transnational health emergency that meet the need for common national measures, modelled on the EU’s external border controls, and for greater coordination between national health and administrative authorities? to this end, will it consider reviewing Decision No. 1082/2013/EU and extending the legal basis to include Articles 77,196 and 197 TFEU?

PE645.585v01-00