Terzić: The community called the EU has failed the test of solidarity

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - President of the European Commission (EC), Ursula von der Leyen, confirmed the introduction of a ban on the export of medical equipment outside the European Union (EU).

In a statement she issued, Von der Leyen confirmed that the ban applies to the entire EU territory in order to maintain sufficient supplies within the bloc.

"We must protect our healthcare workers who are on the front line against the virus. We must protect them with protective equipment - masks, gloves, protective clothing, etc.," Von der Leyen stressed in a video message.

This decision came into effect on Sunday evening and will be valid for the next six weeks.

Almir Terzić, a journalist and analyst, is disappointed with this decision by the European Union.

"You can take it however you want, but the EU has de facto ceased to exist for me with this. Instead of helping each other, they are self-isolating. I understand the measures, but where is the help for Italy and Spain, which are in critical condition. It is not enough to protect only yourself. You need to protect your neighbours too. Because a secure neighbour guarantees your own security. The community called the EU has failed the test of solidarity. Britain has clearly recognized this in time. We will see if others will too," said Terzić.

Otherwise, Germany will partially close its borders with France, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, and Luxembourg starting Monday morning in an effort to tighten measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

This measure applies to people without a strong reason to enter the country, while people who cross the border daily for work will still be able to do so, as will goods. At the same time, German citizens who are in neighbouring countries will be allowed to return. In Germany, about 4,000 people are infected with the coronavirus, and 11 have died. Neighbouring countries Denmark (which recorded its first death), Poland, and the Czech Republic have already closed their borders. German neighbours the Netherlands and Belgium are not threatened by the virus. Greece records an increase in cases to 331, of which 103 in a single day.

The death toll in the United Kingdom has jumped to 35, and France, which is the most affected European country after Italy, is closing catering and other non-essential facilities.
Romania declared a state of emergency on Monday.

In Italy alone, 3,590 new cases were recorded in 24 hours, an increase of 100 compared to the previous day. Currently, the total number of infected people in that country is 24,747, while the number of deaths has risen to 1,809. More than half of the infected are in the Lombardy region - 13,272 cases and 1,218 fatalities.

Hospital capacities are already strained, and there will soon be no intensive care beds, so a temporary hospital with 500 intensive care beds is planned in two pavilions at the Milan fair.

World Health Organization experts claim that the vast majority of those infected recover within two weeks.

In Spain, the number of deaths from coronavirus has doubled in the last 24 hours to 288, while the total number of infected people is 8,000.

In Austria, 800 cases of infection have been confirmed, and restrictive measures on the movement of the population are in place, allowing people to leave their homes only in cases of necessity.

In the United Kingdom, the elderly population will go into self-isolation for a period of four months for self-protection. Work is also underway to develop a significantly larger number of ventilators.