#Coronavirus - A timeline of EU action

The European Commission presents immediate short-term measures to increase the EU’s preparedness for future Covid-19 outbreaks, such as increasing testing coverage, ensuring supply of medicines and medical equipment and reducing the burden of the seasonal flu.

The European Parliament adopts a resolution setting out its priorities for an EU public health strategy after COVID-19 in which the EU should play a stronger role. On 28 May the European Commission proposed the new EU4Health programme to boost the EU's preparedness and capability to respond effectively to major cross-border health threats and strengthen its health systems.

To prevent shortages or delays in getting key medical devices onto the market, Parliament agrees to postpone the application of the new Medical Devices Regulation.

The EU mobilizes more than €3 billion from its budget to distribute medical supplies, co-ordinate transportation of equipment and patients and support the construction of mobile hospitals. In the longer term, the funds will support testing capacities and research.

In order to get medical equipment from non-EU countries more easily, customs duties and VAT on imports are temporarily waived.

The EU is creating a strategic stockpile of ventilators, reusable masks, laboratory supplies and therapeutics (rescEU) to help member states facing shortages.

European harmonized standards for medical supplies (such as face masks, protective clothing, respiratory protective devices) are made freely available to facilitate increased production.

A panel of seven epidemiologists and virologists from different member states formulates science-based EU response guidelines and co-ordinates risk management measures.

Exports of personal protective equipment (such as masks, face shields, protective garments) to countries outside the EU must be authorized.

EU countries join forces under the joint procurement agreement to purchase protective equipment (such as gloves, masks, overalls), ventilators and testing kits.

Parliament approves a temporary derogation from certain clinical trials rules to allow COVID-19 vaccines and treatments to be developed more quickly.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) and CureVac, a vaccine developer in Germany, enter into a €75 million loan agreement to support the company’s ongoing development and production of vaccines, including CureVac's vaccine candidate against SARS-CoV-2.

The EU makes €350 million available to support Greece, where most refugees and migrants heading for Europe arrive. Additional financial assistance of €350 million can be requested as part of an amending budget. Also, Greece is provided with assistance in terms of medical equipment, medical teams, shelters, tents and blankets through the Civil Protection Mechanism.