The role of LRAs in supporting vaccination strategies, the need of more clarity on travel protocols across Europe, supporting SMEs to have self-reliant and resilient health systems as well as the need to strengthen cross-border cooperation were the key topics discussed during the second online meeting of the EPP-CoR Coronavirus Response Task Force chaired by Olgierd Geblewicz. The agenda included an exchange of views with Ms. Ines Prainsack, Member of Cabinet of the Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Ms. Stella Kyriakides.
Olgierd Geblewicz, President of West Pomerania Region and the EPP-CoR group said that the COVID-19 pandemic still represents a huge challenge. "Although vaccination programmes are being rolled out in all Member States thanks to European coordinated levels, we are still in an evolving context of lockdowns or stringent deconfinement measures. Inevitably the coronavirus pandemic is leaving a long-lasting negative impact on our regions and cities, but it is also testing our communities to become more resilient."
Geblewicz added that vaccination in Poland started very slow however the situation was slowly improving. He said that emphasis was being made on storing a second dose for those who took the first jab and expressed hope that progress in delivery of vaccines will lead to a higher rate of vaccination. The chair of the task force also spoke about hesitation that still exists regarding the vaccine and that this needs to be tackled. Geblewicz who is the rapporteur for the opinion on 'Cross-border health threats and the new mandate of ECDC' said that there are still limitations when it comes to cross-border cooperation and that more initiatives had to be implemented at EU level to incentivize and strengthen it on the ground.
Ines Prainsack said that the situation is still extremely serious with a stable or increase of cases/deaths/admission to ITU. She said that there was an ongoing evaluation of the cross border healthcare directive and that the Commission was interested to hear positive examples and also challenges. Ms. Prainsack also raised the modalities of achieving a Health Union, including the future Health Emergency Response Authority.
Emil Boc, Mayor of Cluj-Napoca and former Prime Minister of Romania said that more clarity and uniformity was needed at EU level when it comes to travel protocols related to quarantine periods, use of tracing Apps, PCR test time window and the proposed vaccine passport. He said that different rules in different countries set obstacles for travel.
Michael Murphy, member of Tipperary County Council and ECON Chair explained how LRAs can use their expertise and capacity in administration to support vaccination strategies. He said that LRA's can engage with health authorities by offering administrative assistance so that medical staff can concentrate entirely on rolling-out of the vaccine. Mr. Murphy also noted the efforts of LRAs across Europe in the SME sector and COVID-19 emergency response teams. In Ireland, he said take-up of the vaccine has been positive in general.
Eddy van Hijum, member of the Council of the Province of Overijssel said that vaccine roll-out started with a slow pace but was slowly gaining ground. He emphasized the need to work on more resilient health systems which are not only well prepared for pandemics but also robust in terms of production of devices and equipment such as masks. He recalled an example of cross-collaboration in the form of TechMed Innovation Hub - a non-profit collaboration of partners, coordinated by the TechMed Centre of the University of Twente that stimulates the development and implementation of technology for better healthcare and to be less dependent on foreign markets for devices. He added that being more self-reliant was key for more resilient health systems. van Hijum also spoke about the need to involve LRAs in resilience and recovery plans and that sharing of good practices and investments was key to inspire LRAs on how to boost recovery
Birgitta Sacrédeus, member of Dalarna Regional Council spoke about scams and the need to protect vulnerable people from irresponsible citizens who seek to take advantage of the pandemic. "We have to be careful with members of our society who present themselves as official authorities and ask for personal data and bank accounts from our citizens".
Gaetano Armao, Vice-President of the Sicily Region spoke about the role of the European Union in addressing the economic crisis caused by the covid 19 pandemic. Armao pointed out that European banks have implemented a wide range of support measures including, in particular, temporary moratoriums on debt payments. However, the moratoriums will expire in mid-2021 and from that moment on, banks, SMEs and households will have to face the legislative framework on non-performing loans. In this regard he said “It is necessary to ask the European Commission and the European Banking Authority to provide for a moratorium for the measures introduced from 1 January.”