Conclusions

Scientific advice, coordination and solidarity in the EU are the key principles for Member States to successfully lift the current confinement measures.

In this context, a carefully calibrated, coordinated and gradual approach is needed. Several accompanying measures need to be operational to move to such a phase. The Commission has been and will be providing EU level tools as well as guidelines, both for the public health and the economic response. It will be important that Member States support and use the instruments available at the EU level.

The Commission will continue to analyse the proportionality of measures taken by Member States to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic as the situation evolves and will intervene to request the lifting of measures considered disproportionate, especially when they have an impact on the Single Market.

In order to streamline coordination efforts, the Commission will be ready to develop further guidance, when necessary or requested, in order to ensure a gradual transition from general confinement. The more such transition is coordinated at EU level, the more negative spill-overs between Member States will be avoided and the implementation of measures across different Member States will be mutually reinforcing.EU guidance will take into account the evolution of the health emergency and the impact on the Single Market. It will be informed by the Health Security Committee and take account of discussions in the Integrated Political Crisis Response.

The Commission will also be interacting with Member States to discuss measures and initiatives to be financed under the Emergency Support Instrument17, providing an opportunity for Member States to bring forward requests. In this way, the Emergency Support Instrument will provide an EU financial back up to manage the gradual transition from the crisis.

Successfully coordinating the lifting of containment measures at EU level will also positively impact the EU’s recovery. There is a need to strategically plan the recovery that is mindful of citizens’ needs, in which the economy needs to pick up pace and get back on a path of sustainable growth, integrating the twin green and digital transition and drawing all lessons from the current crisis for the EU’s preparedness and resilience.