Coronavirus Response: Using every available euro in every way possible to protect lives and livelihoods

Summary:

Communication published by the European Commission on 2 April 2020, aimed at providing context to a set of measures put forward to address the challenges arising from the sanitary crisis caused by COVID-19.

Further information:

The measures put forward on this occasion include:

• Creating a new EU solidarity instrument to help workers keep their income and help businesses retain staff;
• Making the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) fully flexible so that their entirety can be directed to support public health efforts or to cushion the economic impact of the pandemic;
• Putting the entirety of the EU Budget for 2020 in an emergency instrument to support efforts to save lives.

In addition, a number of specific proposals were also adopted to make sure the most deprived can still receive food deliveries, as well as tailored support for farmers and fishermen.

This package of measures adds to a number of initiatives adopted in March 2020 to provide an immediate response to the socio-economic challenges arising from the coronavirus pandemic.

• Primary Source

• Alternative Source

Official

European Commission: Press Release, 02/04/2020: Coronavirus: the Commission mobilises all of its resources to protect lives and livelihoods https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_582

European Commission: Remarks by President von der Leyen at the press conference on SURE; the Emergency Support Instrument; and on the Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative Plus (2 April 2020) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/statement_20_587

European Commission: Questions and answers on the Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative Plus: New actions to mobilise essential investments and resources (2 April 2020) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_20_574

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