BRUSSELS. The European Commission on Wednesday warned EU countries against easing restrictions against the corona pandemic during Christmas and New Year.

”"We don't want to cancel Christmas. But we must not let Christmas and New Year become super-spreaders. Saving lives comes first," said EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides at a press conference during the meeting of EU health ministers.

”"The situation is serious. We may see a stabilization of disease cases in some countries, but at a high level," said the Health Commissioner.

”Until we have distributed the vaccine, the measures must continue in the coming months, including over the weekends at the end of the year,” she continued.

Stella Kyriakides pointed to what happened during the summer, when EU countries eased restrictions too quickly, resulting in a rapid increase in cases and reintroduction of restrictions.

The Health Commissioner said that the restrictions also apply to skiing and other winter tourism. Countries should not relax the restrictions.

German Health Minister Jens Spahn, who chaired the ministerial meeting, said at the same press conference that it is not the skiing itself but the activities around it that are dangerous.

The German minister was asked why the UK was able to approve the Pfizer-Biontech vaccine before the EU.

Jens Spahn replied that the UK used an emergency authorisation. EU countries could have done the same, but have refrained. The vaccine is currently undergoing normal – albeit accelerated – control by the European Medicines Agency EMA.

On Wednesday, the Commission presented its recommendations for corona measures for the winter months. For private individuals, recommendations remained to continue avoiding close contact and places with many people.

”We must all continue to wear masks and wash our hands,” said Stella Kyriakides.

Member states were urged to continue testing and tracing, and developing vaccination strategies.

Source: Nyhetsbyrån Direkt