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“It cannot be ruled out that there are already many infections on the continent”
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The mutation is clearly more contagious
A coronavirus mutation has been discovered in the UK that is apparently much more contagious. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is changing course and tightening the measures for Christmas.
EU health politician Peter Liese assumes that the mutated version of the coronavirus is already in continental Europe. No one should see this as a purely British problem. The Germans would also have to adapt their behavior immediately.
reThe CDU health politician and MEP Peter Liese has warned that the new Covid-19 variant is already spreading across the continent. EU citizens should not feel safe closing the borders with Great Britain. “Now to give the impression that this is a British problem and that we have nothing to do with it is very dangerous,” said Liese WELT.
There are already proven infections in Belgium and the Netherlands. “This new variant has been specifically tested recently. It cannot be ruled out that there are already many infections on the continent. “
Peter Liese, EU Health Expert (CDU)
Quelle: alliance of images / dpa
According to the health expert, protection measures must be strictly applied everywhere. Liese recommends having as few visitors as possible on your own four walls and only working from home. “The impression should not be created: if we don’t know a Briton, then we are safe. We have to behave as if everyone we know could, in principle, be infected with the coronavirus, including the mutated form, ”added Liese.
Virologists have always expected the virus to change over time and become more infectious, but less lethal. If that was the case, it wouldn’t be so bad. But no one knows right now. ”
The CDU politician and medical doctor defended the decision of individual EU states that had suspended air traffic from Britain during the course of Sunday. “It is not like spring when the pandemic started. Like not exporting masks to Italy at the time when people are dying en masse there, that was different from now when flights are suspended. Because it is an effective way to save lives ”. However, the borders with Great Britain must remain open for essential supplies, as well as for nurses and doctors.
Chaotic Brexit threatens to worsen the situation
In the context of the dramatic situation, Liese called for this not to be compounded by a chaotic Brexit. In light of the stalled negotiations on Britain’s exit from the EU, Liese called for an extension of the transition period beyond December 31. “If there is no agreement in the next few hours, we have to extend the transition period. We Europeans have been saying this since spring, that we are ready. That won’t be easy legally, but it is doable. ”
The EU Parliament had passed a resolution that negotiations would have to end with an agreement this Sunday in order to ratify the treaty in time.
