Rome expects EU-wide mandatory COVID testing for arrivals from China

The European Union, following Italy, may introduce mandatory testing for coronavirus for arrivals from China, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said at a press conference, Report informs via Interfax.

"We expect and hope the EU will be willing to do the same," Meloni said.

Meloni believes that the introduction of testing only in Italy may not be "as effective" as if it were introduced at the level of the entire EU. At the same time, the prime minister does not consider the resumption of restrictive measures the best way to contain the spread of coronavirus.

As Le Figaro reported, representatives of the Ministries of Health of 27 EU countries gathered in Brussels to discuss "possible measures within the framework of a coordinated approach" of the bloc "in light of the situation with the outbreak in China."

The scale of this COVID-19 outbreak has alarmed authorities in many countries. The US, India, Italy and Japan have tightened entry rules for those arriving from China.