We, the Leaders of the Group of Seven, acknowledge that the COVID-19 pandemic is a human tragedy and a global health crisis, which also poses major risks for the world economy.  We are committed to doing whatever is necessary to ensure a strong global response through closer cooperation and enhanced coordination of our efforts.  While current challenges may require national emergency measures, we remain committed to the stability of the global economy.  We express our conviction that current challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic need a strongly coordinated international approach, based on science and evidence, consistent with our democratic values, and utilizing the strengths of private enterprise.
We are committed to marshalling the full power of our governments to:
• Coordinate on necessary public health measures to protect people at risk from COVID-19;
• Restore confidence, growth, and protect jobs;
• Support global trade and investment;
• Encourage science, research, and technology cooperation.
• By acting together, we will work to resolve the health and economic risks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and set the stage for a strong recovery of strong, sustainable economic growth and prosperity.
Accelerate Our Response to COVID-19
We will work hard to protect the health and safety of everyone in our countries.  Stepping up the response to the outbreak remains our foremost priority.  We will coordinate our efforts to delay the spread of the virus, including through appropriate border management measures.
We will enhance our efforts to strengthen health systems in our countries and globally.  We fully support the World Health Organization in its global mandate to lead on disease outbreaks and emergencies with health consequences, leaving no geographical vacuum, and encourage all countries, international organizations, and the private sector to assist global efforts such as the Global Preparedness and Response Plan.
We stress the value of real-time information sharing to ensure access to the best and latest intelligence, improving prevention strategies and mitigation measures.
We will pool epidemiologic and other data to better understand and fight the virus.
We will increase coordinated research efforts, including through voluntary support for the global alliance Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness and Innovation.  We will support the launch of joint research projects funded by both public and private resources, and the sharing of facilities, towards rapid development, manufacture and distribution of treatments and a vaccine, adhering to the principles of efficacy, safety, and accessibility.
We will make efforts to increase the availability of medical equipment where it is most needed.
We will coordinate with online platforms to maximize public access to the latest correct and relevant official information, in recognition that millions of citizens receive information and news via social media.
To implement these objectives, and adapt measures if necessary, will require efforts across all parts of our governments, and we ask our health ministers to continue to coordinate on a weekly basis.
Forcefully Address the Economic Impact of the Outbreak
We resolve to coordinate measures and do whatever it takes, using all policy tools, to achieve strong growth in the G7 economies, and to safeguard against downside risks.
To this end, we are mobilizing the full range of instruments, including monetary and fiscal measures, as well as targeted actions, to support immediately and as much as necessary the workers, companies, and sectors most affected.  This is particularly important for small and medium businesses and working families.
We also ask our central banks to continue to coordinate to provide the necessary monetary measures in order to support economic and financial stability, and to promote recovery and growth.
We ask our finance ministers to coordinate on a weekly basis on the implementation of those measures and to develop further timely and effective actions.
We reinforce the importance of coordination among international organizations even in the face of challenges to business continuity.  We call on the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group and other International Organizations to further support countries worldwide as part of a coordinated global response, focused on this specific challenge.  We also ask our finance ministers to work closely with International Organizations to design and implement swiftly the international financial assistance that is appropriate to help countries, including emerging and developing economies, face the health and economic shock of COVID-19.
We will address disturbances to international supply chains and continue our work to facilitate international trade.
Restore and Expand Growth
We will continue to work together with resolve to implement these measures to respond to this global emergency.  In facing the economic challenge, we are determined not only to restore the level of growth anticipated before the COVID-19 pandemic but also to build the foundation for stronger future growth.  We will continue to coordinate through the G7 Presidency including at the G7 Leaders’ Summit and call upon the G20 to support and amplify these efforts.
 
Compliments of the Delegation of the European Union to the United States.

A message from NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Office for International Affairs regarding NYC’s response to COVID-19.
 
Dear Colleagues,
In an ongoing effort to keep you informed about the City’s response to COVID-19, below are the latest updates from NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio’s press conference on March 17, 2020:
Shelter-in-place
A decision HAS NOT yet been made but New Yorkers should prepare for possibility of shelter in place order; that decision may come in the next 48 hours
• A lot of considerations must be made first; the City will work closely with the State to decide if this is the right strategy to implement
• “In my view, I think the right guidance to give all New Yorkers is even though a decision has not been made by the city or by the state, I think New Yorkers should be prepared right now for the possibility of a shelter-in-place order…That decision should be made within the next 48 hours.” – Mayor Bill de Blasio, March 17 press conference
 Testing Capacity
Health +Hospital, NYC’s public health care system will partner with Bio-Reference Laboratories to perform 5,000 COVID-19 tests per day; testing with this lab starts Thursday
• The focus will be on tests of those who are hospitalized and the most vulnerable in society
Health Care Guidance
For those who are sick with mild or moderate cold and flu symptoms, please stay home. Do not go to ER or clinic. Those services need to be reserved for the sickest among us.
• If you are experiencing these symptoms, do not go to work or go out socializing
• Wait 3 or 4 days, if symptoms do not improve, call your health care provider for assistance
Statistics
814 confirmed cases in New York City
7 deaths in New York City
Public Schools
NYC Public Schools are closed until April 20
• Provisions are being made for children of first responders, health care workers and transit workers
• Schools are providing breakfast and lunch for children this week
• New plans will be in place to continue providing meals going forward
Students will begin distance learning programs on March 23
Medical Care
• NYC is mobilizing a Medical Reserve Corp of about 9,000 licensed/retired medical professionals who can respond if increased capacity is needed in our health care system, and we are calling on more qualified New Yorkers to join and serve. You can sign up at nyc.gov/helpnownyc
Correction Facilities
City is suspending in-person visits to inmates at Department of Corrections Facilities
Elections
City is cancelling the special election for Queens Borough President
Cultural Scene
Restaurants, bars and cafes are now limited to take-out orders and deliveries
Movie theaters, museums, cultural centers, concert venues, clubs and commercial gyms are closed until further notice
Recreation centers, youth programs and afterschool programs are closed to indoor activities; there is still a possibility for outdoor activities
Price Gouging
• The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) has put into place an emergency Rule that makes price gouging illegal for any personal or household good or any service that is needed to prevent or limit the spread of new coronavirus (COVID-19). This Rule is in effect and makes it illegal to increase prices by 10 percent or more for items like face masks, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, soap, tissues, cleaning products, and medicines.
• Any business found to be overcharging on customers 10 percent or more than before COVID-19 will be issued a violation. The fine for price gouging is $500. DCWP encourages consumers who are overcharged to file a complaint at nyc.gov/dcwp or contact 311 and say “overcharge.”
• DCWP also reminds New Yorkers that they have the right to sick leave and should use it if they are feeling ill. Under the NYC Paid Safe and Sick Leave Law, employers with five or more employees who work more than 80 hours per calendar year in NYC must provide paid safe and sick leave to employees. Employers with fewer than five employees must provide unpaid safe and sick leave. Covered employees have the right to use safe and sick leave for the care and treatment of themselves or a family member.
Alternate Side Parking
Alternate Side Parking rules are suspended from March 18-24. Payment at parking meters remains in effect.
Staying informed
• The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has a coronavirus factsheet available in 22 languages, as well as updated information and guidance at nyc.gov/coronavirus
• There is a lot of misinformation spreading, especially online. For the latest updates, from the City, text COVID to 692-692
Best,
NYC Mayor’s Office for International Affairs
 

COVID-19 is a severe public health emergency for our citizens, societies and economies with infections in all Member States. It is also a major economic shock to the EU. The Commission therefore presents today an immediate response to mitigate the socio-economic impact of  the COVID-19 outbreak, centred on a European coordinated response.
The Commission will use all the instruments at its disposal to mitigate the consequences of the pandemic, in particular:
• To ensure the necessary supplies to our health systems by preserving the integrity of the Single Market and of production and distribution of value chains;
• To support people so that income and jobs are not affected disproportionally and to avoid permanent effect of this crisis;
• To support firms and ensure that the liquidity of our financial sector can continue to support the economy
• And to allow Member States to act decisively in a coordinated way, through using the full flexibility of our State Aid and Stability and Growth Pact Frameworks.
President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said: “The Coronavirus pandemic is testing us all. This is not only an unprecedented challenge for our healthcare systems, but also a major shock for our economies. The important economic package announced today deal with the situation of today. We stand ready to do more as the situation evolves. We will do whatever is necessary to support the Europeans and the European economy.”
State aid Framework Flexibility
The main fiscal response to the Coronavirus will come from Member States’ national budgets. EU State aid rules enable Member States to take swift and effective action to support citizens and companies, in particular SMEs, facing economic difficulties due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Member States can design ample support measures in line with existing EU rules. First, they can decide to take measures, such as wage subsidies, suspension of payments of corporate and value added taxes or social contributions. In addition, Member States can grant financial support directly to consumers, for example for cancelled services or tickets that are not reimbursed by the operators concerned. Also, EU State aid rules enable Member States to help companies cope with liquidity shortages and needing urgent rescue aid. Article 107(2)(b) TFEU enables Member States to compensate companies for the damage directly caused by exceptional occurrences, including measures in sectors such as aviation and tourism.
Currently, the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak in Italy is of a nature and scale that allows the use of Article 107(3)(b) TFEU. This enables the Commission to approve additional national support measures to remedy a serious disturbance to the economy of a Member State.
The Commission’s assessment for the use of Article 107(3)b for other Member States will take a similar approach. The Commission is preparing a special legal framework under Article 107(3)(b) TFEU to adopt in case of need.
The Commission stands ready to work with all Member States to ensure that possible national support measures to tackle the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus can be put in place in a timely manner.
European Fiscal Framework Flexibility
The Commission will propose to the Council to apply the full flexibility provided for in the EU fiscal framework so that they can implement the measures needed to contain the coronavirus outbreak and mitigate its negative socio-economic effects.
First, the Commission considers that the COVID-19 pandemic qualifies as an “unusual events outside the control of government”. This allows accommodating exceptional spending to contain the COVID-19 outbreak such as health care expenditure and targeted relief measures for firms and workers.
Second, the Commission will recommend adjusting the fiscal efforts required from Member States in case of negative growth or large drops in activity.
Finally, the Commission stands ready to propose to the Council to activate the general escape clause to accommodate a more general fiscal policy support. This clause would – in cooperation with the Council – suspend the fiscal adjustment recommended by the Council in case of a severe economic downturn in the euro area or the EU as a whole.
Ensuring solidarity in the Single Market
Only with solidarity and Europe-wide coordinated solution, we will be able to effectively manage this public health emergency. Solidarity is key in this crisis, in particular to ensure that essential goods, necessary to mitigate the health risks of the outbreak, can reach all those in need. It is essential to act together to secure production, stocking, availability and rational use of medical protective equipment and medicines in the EU, openly and transparently, rather than taking unilateral measures that restrict the free movement of essential healthcare goods.
The Commission is therefore taking all necessary steps to that end including by providing guidance for Member States on how to put in place adequate control mechanisms to ensure security of supply, and by launching an accelerated joint procurement procedure for these goods and issuing a recommendation on non CE-marked protective equipment.
The COVID-19 outbreak is having a major impact on our transport systems, given the close interlink of European supply chains, supported by an extensive network of freight services on land, at sea, and airborne. The Commission is working with Member States to ensure the flow of essential goods across land borders. The international and European aviation industry has been particularly hit. As announced by President von der Leyen on 10 March, to help ease the economic and ecological impact of the outbreak, the Commission is proposing today targeted legislation to temporarily alleviate airlines from the “use-it-or-lose-it” rule – whereby air carriers must use at least 80% of their airports slots within a given period in order to keep them within the corresponding period of the next year.
Finally, the Commission is liaising with Member States, international authorities and key EU professional associations to monitor the impact of the crisis on the tourism sector and coordinate support measures.
Mobilising the EU budget
To bring immediate relief to hard-hit SMEs, the EU budget will deploy its existing instruments to support these companies with liquidity, complementing measures taken at national level. In the coming weeks, EUR1 billion will be redirected from the EU budget as a guarantee to the European Investment Fund to incentivise banks to provide liquidity to SMEs and midcaps. This will help at least 100,000 European SMEs and small mid-caps with about EUR 8 billion of financing. We will also provide credit holidays to the existing debtors that are negatively affected.
Alleviating the impact on employment
We need to protect workers from unemployment and loss of income to avoid permanent effect. The Commission stands ready to support Member States in this, promoting, in particular short-time work schemes, upskilling and reskilling programmes that have proven effective in the past.
The Commission will furthermore accelerate the preparation of the legislative proposal for a European Unemployment Reinsurance Scheme aiming at supporting Member State policies that preserve jobs and skills.
Moreover, the Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative will facilitate the deployment of the European Social Fund – a fund geared towards supporting workers and healthcare.
The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund could also be mobilised to support dismissed workers and those self-employed under the conditions of the current and future Regulation. Up to EUR 179 million is available in 2020.
Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative
Under this new initiative, the Commission proposes to direct EUR 37 billion under Cohesion policy to the fight against the Coronavirus crisis. To this effect, the Commission proposes to relinquish this year its obligation to request Member States to refund unspent pre-financing for the structural funds. This amounts to about EUR 8 billion from the EU budget, which Member States will be able to use to supplement EUR 29 billion of structural funding across the EU. This will effectively increase the amount of investment in 2020 and help to front-load the use of the as yet unallocated EUR 28 billion of cohesion policy funding within the 2014-2020 cohesion policy programmes. The Commission calls upon the European Parliament and the Council to swiftly approve this proposal, so that it can be adopted within the next two weeks.
In addition, the Commission is proposing to extend the scope of the EU Solidarity Fund by also including a public health crisis within its scope, in view of mobilising it if needed for the hardest hit Member States. Up to EUR 800 million is available in 2020. 
For More Information
MEMO: European Coordinated Response on Coronavirus – Questions and Answers
Factsheet: EU Coronavirus Response
Communication on the economic aspects of the COVID-19 crisis
Annex to the Communication on the economic aspects of the COVID-19 crisis
Proposal for a Regulation on COVID-19 Response Investment Initiative
Proposal for a Regulation on airport slots
Proposal for a Regulation to provide financial assistance to Member States and countries negotiating their accession to the Union seriously affected by a major public health emergency
Coronavirus website
*Updated 13-03-2020, 17:22

Compliments of the EU Commission.

Heads of State and Government welcomed the initiative to hold this video conference on COVID-19.
Member states expressed sympathy with Italy and other member states that are severely hit.
During the video conference on 10 March 2020 we emphasised the need to work together and to do everything necessary and to act swiftly. We stressed the need for a joint European approach and a close coordination with the European Commission. Health ministers and Interior ministers should consult daily to ensure proper coordination and aim for common European guidance.
During the meeting, information and practices were exchanged and 4 priorities identified.
1) Limiting the spread of the virus. Member states agreed that our citizens’ health is the first priority, and that measures should be based on science and medical advice. Measures need to be proportional so that they do not have excessive consequences for our societies as a whole. The leaders further agreed that on this point they will share all relevant information through existing coordination mechanisms.[1]
2) Provision of medical equipment. Agreement to task the Commission with analysing the needs  and to come up with initiatives to prevent shortages. The Commission informed that it will continue its engagement with the industry and pursue joint public procurements. Moreover, the Commission intends to purchase personal protective equipment through the Civil Protection Framework – RescEU.  It must be ensured that the Internal market functions properly and any unjustified obstacles are avoided. Particular attention must be given to masks and respirators.
3) Promotion research, including for a vaccine. The Member states stressed the importance of reinforcing efforts on research. The Commission has already mobilised EUR 140 million of funds and selected 17 projects to do this.
4) Tackling socio-economic consequences. The Union and its member states, we stand ready to make use of all instruments that are necessary. In particular we will address any impact on liquidity, on support for SME’s and specific affected sectors, and their employees. Flexible application of EU rules in particular as regard State aid and Stability and Growth Pact will be needed.
The Commission will closely monitor economic developments in the Union and take all necessary initiatives. Members states and institutions will follow up closely and immediately.
Member states and institutions will follow-up at all levels immediately. The European Council will come back to the matter during the 26-27 March summit to take any further decisions needed.
[1] IPCR (Integrated Political Crisis Response) launched by the Croatian Presidency. The ECDC (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control) will support MS and provide guidelines.
Compliments of European Council of the EU

Healthcare | Issued on: March 11, 2020

On January 31, 2020, I issued Proclamation 9984 (Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Nonimmigrants of Persons Who Pose a Risk of Transmitting 2019 Novel Coronavirus and Other Appropriate Measures To Address This Risk).  I found that the potential for widespread transmission of a novel (new) coronavirus (which has since been renamed “SARS-CoV-2” and causes the disease COVID-19) (“SARS-CoV-2” or “the virus”) by infected individuals seeking to enter the United States threatens the security of our transportation system and infrastructure and the national security. 
Because the outbreak of the virus was at the time centered in the People’s Republic of China, I suspended and limited the entry of all aliens who were physically present within the People’s Republic of China, excluding the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau, during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into the United States, subject to certain exceptions.  On February 29, 2020, in recognition of the sustained person-to-person transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the Islamic Republic of Iran, I issued Proclamation 9992 (Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Nonimmigrants of Certain Additional Persons Who Pose a Risk of Transmitting 2019 Novel Coronavirus), suspending and limiting the entry of all aliens who were physically present within the Islamic Republic of Iran during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into the United States, subject to certain exceptions.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a component of the Department of Health and Human Services, has determined that the virus presents a serious public health threat, and CDC continues to take steps to prevent its spread.  But CDC, along with State and local health departments, has limited resources, and the public health system could be overwhelmed if sustained human-to-human transmission of the virus occurred in the United States on a large scale.  Sustained human-to-human transmission has the potential to cause cascading public health, economic, national security, and societal consequences.
The World Health Organization has determined that multiple countries within the Schengen Area are experiencing sustained person-to-person transmission of SARS-CoV-2.  For purposes of this proclamation, the Schengen Area comprises 26 European states: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.  The Schengen Area currently has the largest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases outside of the People’s Republic of China.  As of March 11, 2020, the number of cases in the 26 Schengen Area countries is 17,442, with 711 deaths, and shows high continuous growth in infection rates.  In total, as of March 9, 2020, the Schengen Area has exported 201 COVID-19 cases to 53 countries.  Moreover, the free flow of people between the Schengen Area countries makes the task of managing the spread of the virus difficult.
The United States Government is unable to effectively evaluate and monitor all of the travelers continuing to arrive from the Schengen Area.  The potential for undetected transmission of the virus by infected individuals seeking to enter the United States from the Schengen Area threatens the security of our transportation system and infrastructure and the national security.  Given the importance of protecting persons within the United States from the threat of this harmful communicable disease, I have determined that it is in the interests of the United States to take action to restrict and suspend the entry into the United States, as immigrants or nonimmigrants, of all aliens who were physically present within the Schengen Area during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into the United States.  The free flow of commerce between the United States and the Schengen Area countries remains an economic priority for the United States, and I remain committed to facilitating trade between our nations.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including sections 212(f) and 215(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. 1182(f) and 1185(a), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, hereby find that the unrestricted entry into the United States of persons described in section 1 of this proclamation would, except as provided for in section 2 of this proclamation, be detrimental to the interests of the United States, and that their entry should be subject to certain restrictions, limitations, and exceptions.  I therefore hereby proclaim the following:
Section 1.  Suspension and Limitation on Entry.  The entry into the United States, as immigrants or nonimmigrants, of all aliens who were physically present within the Schengen Area during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into the United States is hereby suspended and limited subject to section 2 of this proclamation.
Sec. 2.  Scope of Suspension and Limitation on Entry.
(a)  Section 1 of this proclamation shall not apply to:
(i)     any lawful permanent resident of the United States;
(ii)    any alien who is the spouse of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident;
(iii)   any alien who is the parent or legal guardian of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, provided that the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident is unmarried and under the age of 21;
(iv)    any alien who is the sibling of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, provided that both are unmarried and under the age of 21;
(v)     any alien who is the child, foster child, or ward of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, or who is a prospective adoptee seeking to enter the United States pursuant to the IR-4 or IH-4 visa classifications;
(vi)    any alien traveling at the invitation of the United States Government for a purpose related to containment or mitigation of the virus;
(vii)   any alien traveling as a nonimmigrant pursuant to a C-1, D, or C-1/D nonimmigrant visa as a crewmember or any alien otherwise traveling to the United States as air or sea crew;
(viii)  any alien
(A)  seeking entry into or transiting the United States pursuant to one of the following visas:  A-1, A-2, C-2, C-3 (as a foreign government official or immediate family member of an official), E-1 (as an employee of TECRO or TECO or the employee’s immediate family members), G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, NATO-1 through NATO-4, or NATO-6 (or seeking to enter as a nonimmigrant in one of those NATO categories); or
(B)  whose travel falls within the scope of section 11 of the United Nations Headquarters Agreement;
(ix)    any alien whose entry would not pose a significant risk of introducing, transmitting, or spreading the virus, as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the CDC Director or his designee;
(x)     any alien whose entry would further important United States law enforcement objectives, as determined by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or their respective designees, based on a recommendation of the Attorney General or his designee;
(xi)    any alien whose entry would be in the national interest, as determined by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or their designees; or
(xii)   members of the U.S. Armed Forces and spouses and children of members of the U.S. Armed Forces.
(b)  Nothing in this proclamation shall be construed to affect any individual’s eligibility for asylum, withholding of removal, or protection under the regulations issued pursuant to the legislation implementing the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, consistent with the laws and regulations of the United States.
Sec. 3.  Implementation and Enforcement.  (a)  The Secretary of State shall implement this proclamation as it applies to visas pursuant to such procedures as the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, may establish.  The Secretary of Homeland Security shall implement this proclamation as it applies to the entry of aliens pursuant to such procedures as the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, may establish.
(b)  Consistent with applicable law, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Transportation, and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall ensure that any alien subject to this proclamation does not board an aircraft traveling to the United States.
(c)  The Secretary of Homeland Security may establish standards and procedures to ensure the application of this proclamation at and between all United States ports of entry.
(d)  An alien who circumvents the application of this proclamation through fraud, willful misrepresentation of a material fact, or illegal entry shall be a priority for removal by the Department of Homeland Security.
Sec. 4.  Termination.  This proclamation shall remain in effect until terminated by the President.  The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall recommend that the President continue, modify, or terminate this proclamation as described in section 5 of Proclamation 9984, as amended.
Sec. 5.  Effective Date.  This proclamation is effective at 11:59 p.m. eastern daylight time on March 13, 2020.  This proclamation does not apply to persons aboard a flight scheduled to arrive in the United States that departed prior to 11:59 p.m. eastern daylight time on March 13, 2020.
Sec. 6.  Severability.  It is the policy of the United States to enforce this proclamation to the maximum extent possible to advance the national security, public safety, and foreign policy interests of the United States.  Accordingly:
(a)  if any provision of this proclamation, or the application of any provision to any person or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this proclamation and the application of its provisions to any other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby; and
(b)  if any provision of this proclamation, or the application of any provision to any person or circumstance, is held to be invalid because of the lack of certain procedural requirements, the relevant executive branch officials shall implement those procedural requirements to conform with existing law and with any applicable court orders.
Sec. 7.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this proclamation shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b)  This proclamation shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c)  This proclamation is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eleventh day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fourth.
DONALD J. TRUMP
Compliments of The Whitehouse
Note for information about non EU Nationals Travel restrictions see the US State Departments information

European Green Deal
The Council had an exchange of views on the European Green Deal.  Environment and climate ministers worked on the concrete steps needed to be taken so that the EU reaches its climate neutrality objective by 2050. Ministers discussed priority areas, encouraged a more resource efficient economy, and voiced out support for a just transition to climate neutrality.
EU’s climate long-term strategy submission to the UN
The Council adopted the EU’s submission to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on the long-term low greenhouse gas emission development strategy of the EU and its member states. The EU and its member states are fully committed to the Paris Agreement and its long-term goals.
By agreeing and delivering on ambitious social and economic transformation, the EU and its member states are aiming to inspire global climate action and demonstrate that moving towards climate neutrality is not only imperative but also feasible and desirable.
Air quality
The Council adopted conclusions on air quality. Air pollution remains the most important environmental cause of health problems in the EU, and it is estimated to cause more than 400,000 premature deaths each year. 
The Council considered that established air quality standards, in particular limit values, have been effective and remain essential to protect the health of citizens. However, the Council stressed that there is room for improvements to the legislative framework to ensure good air quality across the EU.
Evaluation of water legislation
Ministers exchanged views on a fitness check of EU water legislation. This policy evaluation covered several pieces of legislation: the water framework directive, the environmental quality standards directive, the groundwater directive and the floods directive.
European Semester
EU ministers discussed how to better incorporate environmental sustainability into the European Semester.
Fridays for Future
The Croatian presidency invited climate activist Greta Thunberg to address the Council on behalf of the Fridays for Future movement.
Other issues
The Commission presented its proposal on a European Climate Law and on a Just Transition Mechanism under the European Green Deal. The Commission also presented its communication on the European Green Deal Investment Plan.
Over lunch, ministers discussed climate diplomacy in the presence of Marc Vanheukelen, EEAS Ambassador at Large for Climate Diplomacy.
The Polish delegation informed ministers on the implementation of full auctioning for the aviation sector under the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS). The Portuguese delegation informed ministers on the High Level Symposium on Water (Lisbon, 2 June 2020). Finally, the European Commission informed delegations about the by-catch of common dolphins, harbour porpoises and other protected species in fishing gear.
Compliments of the European Commission

Following the publication of a €10 million call in January, the Commission has secured an additional €37.5 million for urgently needed research on COVID-19 vaccine development, treatment and diagnostics. This action is part of the coordinated EU response to the public health threat of COVID-19.
With the additional amount from the Horizon 2020 programme, the Commission is scaling up the emergency call launched in January to fight the COVID-19 outbreak to €47.5 million. This allowed to select 17 projects involving 136 research teams from across the EU and beyond, which will start working on developing vaccines, new treatments, diagnostic tests and medical systems aimed at preventing the spread of the Coronavirus.
Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, said: “The emergency funding from Horizon 2020 enables researchers to work immediately to tackle the outbreak of the Coronavirus on several fronts. Seeing the research community getting in action so rapidly gives us new hope that we will soon be one step closer to our goal of stopping the spread of the virus.”
The Commission is currently negotiating grant agreements with the selected beneficiaries. The 17 projects will work on:
Development of new vaccines. The research will focus on developing a prophylactic vaccine and a therapeutic vaccine, which will be used for prevention and treatment respectively.
Rapid point-of-care diagnostic tests. Increased efforts will concentrate on enabling front-line health workers to make the diagnosis more quickly and more accurately, which will in turn reduce the risk of further spread of the virus.
New treatments, in which a dual approach will be adopted. Firstly, accelerating the development of new treatments currently in the pipeline (including therapeutic peptides, monoclonal antibodies and broad-spectrum antivirals), and secondly, screening and identifying molecules that could work against the virus, using advanced modelling and computing techniques.
Improving epidemiology and public health, including our preparedness and response to outbreaks. These projects will help develop better monitoring systems in order to effectively prevent and control the spread of the virus, as well as contribute to the assessment of social dynamics.
Background
On 30 January 2020, the Commission launched a special call for expressions of interest to support research on COVID-19 with an initial budget of €10 million mobilised from the special fund for emergency research of the Horizon 2020 programme for research and innovation. The Commission received 91 proposals within the very short two-week deadline. Independent experts completed the evaluation of the proposals in record time. In parallel, thanks to the excellent quality of proposals received, the Commission mobilised additional funds in order to support a higher number of projects. Applicants were notified on 4 March. 
Furthermore, up to €45 million in Horizon 2020 funding will support additional research through the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI), a public-private partnership between the Commission and the pharmaceutical industry. A commitment of a similar scale is expected from the pharmaceutical industry so that the total investment in the fast-track call launched on 3 March could reach up to €90 million. This means that the total amount in funding for coronavirus research, mobilised from Horizon 2020 and the industry through IMI, could reach almost €140 million.
Several EU-funded projects are already contributing to preparedness and response to the COVID-19 outbreak, such as the European Virus Archive – GLOBAL (EVAg), the PREPARE project and the Commission involvement in the Global research collaboration for infectious disease preparedness (GloPID-R) network.
Compliments of the European Commission

One of the best and most detailed analysis on the subject we’ve seen so far. Worth the entire 1.5 hours of it. A must watch, for anyone across the country and overseas.

Statement by David McAllister, Chair of Parliament’s UK Coordination Group, following the start of EU-UK negotiations on a future partnership on Monday 2 March.

“With negotiations kicking off today, we are entering into a crucial phase that will set the tone for the future EU-UK relationship. The European Union is united; mutual trust and respect should prevail to ensure the best possible outcome for both parties. EU negotiator Michel Barnier and his team can count on the European Parliament’s full support”.
“As stated in our latest resolution, the EU must do its utmost when negotiating with the UK to guarantee the European Union’s interests. We take note of the UK’s mandate published on 27 February. Members reiterated in their resolution their determination to establish a future relationship with the UK that is as close as possible, noting nonetheless that this will have to be different from that enjoyed by the UK as a member state of the EU. To this end, trust is essential. It is also crucial that the UK government, in the upcoming negotiations, quickly clarifies its approach to the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement, particularly with regard to the protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland.”
Background
 
The European Parliament adopted its latest resolution on EU-UK future relations on 12 February. In the text, MEPs called for future fair competition and a “level playing field” to be guaranteed through robust commitments, and “dynamic alignment” of EU-UK rules.
EU government representatives in the Council gave the go-ahead for talks to start and adopted the EU’s negotiating directives on 25 February, effectively allowing the European Commission to begin negotiating with the British government on behalf of the EU.
Parliament’s “UK Coordination Group”, led by Foreign Affairs Committee Chair David McAllister (EPP, DE), will liaise with the EU Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom. The EP will follow closely the work of the EU negotiator Michel Barnier and continue to influence the negotiations through resolutions. The final agreement will need the approval of the Parliament as a whole.
Compliments of the EU Parliament

Keynote speech by President Charles Michel at the Centre for European Policy Studies

Thank you for the warm welcome. It’s a special pleasure to be here with you this afternoon and I am delighted that it has been possible for this event to go ahead. I have full confidence in the Belgian authorities in this kind of situation.
CEPS is doing great work, work which is above all very helpful in the efforts to regularly let fresh air into the world of ideas and the future of the European project. I am happy to have this opportunity to share with you some thoughts on this wonderful European project which brings us together.
The first point I would like to share with you is the conviction that Europe must assert itself more on the world stage. And for that a stronger Europe is needed. We must be strong internally in order to have greater clout externally.
Following the European elections and the taking up of office by the new European leadership in the European Commission and in the European Council, we have put into motion a new democratic cycle. This is therefore a good moment to attempt to define the path to be followed and light up the road ahead. It is important, and to my mind essential, that Europe endeavour to be clear in its ideas.
What do we want today? We want a Europe that plays its part in the world, today and tomorrow. A Europe that asserts itself as a geopolitical actor. A Europe on the front line against climate change. And a Europe at the cutting edge of the digital transition.
And on all these fronts, we should never lose sight of our common base of strong, extremely robust values. We must build on them and always be guided by them. This, we might say, is the European hallmark: freedom and respect for human dignity, and responsibility towards the generations to come.
It is not, therefore, a question of picking off the challenges on automatic pilot, one by one. It’s about shaping a desirable future for all. It’s this common ambition that must inspire our choices, at the service of all European citizens.
Today, with you, I would like to take the opportunity afforded by this platform to share three messages. First, we have and we must have a clear goal in sight: for geopolitical, climate and digital matters. Next, a euro that is attractive internationally is a key element in making progress towards that objective. Finally, for an attractive euro, we need a strong Economic and Monetary Union.
Our Union must carve out its place in the world of tomorrow. To do so, we have to address three critical challenges.
First, our Union must be a leader in the world to promote its values and interests. This will take time and hard work. I believe the world needs a strong European voice. And decisive European action. When I talk to European citizens, I hear always the same thing. They say, “We want a strong, confident Europe. In words and also in action.” Because whatever happens in the world has an impact on our Union.
Today, we face strong headwinds. Global competition is back. That’s not great news for the rules-based, multilateral order. Our Union runs the risk of being squeezed between great powers that use their economic tools to promote their foreign policy interests.
And we must also prepare the ecological and the digital transitions. These two transitions are revolutionising our societies and economies. The green transition is probably the great challenge of the twenty first century. The challenge driving millions of young people onto the streets. A challenge all European countries have to support because we have no choice. It affects all our citizens equally.
The digital transition is happening now. Europe must be at the forefront to drive our economy and build a digital world in line with our European values. We know the magnitude of these transitions. We must capitalise on their potential. That’s why European leaders have committed a few weeks ago to very ambitious goals like making Europe the first carbon neutral continent in the world.
We want our European priorities to inspire all our policies. This applies to the euro, to our next European budget, and to our single market. Acting on our ambitions is how we defend our values. And because of these values, we are proud to be European.
The euro is a concrete symbol of success that our citizens carry in their pocket every day. 19 out of 27 member states, for exactly 343 million citizens. My children do not question payments in euro when we travel across the continent. To them it comes naturally. But we forget that only a few years ago we still had to exchange French to Belgian francs or Spanish pesetas to drachma.
Even if the euro faced huge criticism at the start I hear very few people are nostalgic about their national currencies. I believe the euro can definitely boost our strategic autonomy and help us achieve our political objectives.
We live in an interconnected world. But sometimes this can limit our room for manoeuvre. Just one example: the global dominance of the dollar allows US sanctions to reach beyond US borders. This affects European companies, even when they trade legally with third countries. Sometimes we can disagree, even with our closest ally.
But a stronger international euro would certainly give us more latitude in our geopolitical decision-making. An attractive currency offers also a broader access to international financial markets. And this facilitates the funding of the massive investments needed for our digital and ecological transitions. These investments are the key to unlocking the full potential of the two transitions: sustainable development, quality jobs and innovation.
The main question is: how do we get the euro to play a more prominent role on an international stage? This cannot simply be decreed. The decisive step is our collective European action to strengthen our Economic and Monetary Union.
I am convinced that everything we do to strengthen the Economic and Monetary Union will make the euro more attractive. We need to complete the initiatives we have already started. And we need to build new instruments that will prepare our EMU for tomorrow’s challenges.
Let’s start with the initiatives already on the table. Our response to the economic and financial crisis has been: more Europe and more competences for our Union. But to finalise our Banking Union, two reforms must still be completed.
First, the authority that deals with failing banks must have all the financial means to carry out its duties. Second, we still need a European system to guarantee and protect our bank deposits.
But that’s not enough in my opinion, the essential initiatives for tomorrow – a capital markets union, and a better management of the euro area are necessary. With a true Capital Markets Union, our innovative SMEs could better fund their projects. Our abundant savings could be better channelled into concrete green or digital investments. We all see the advantages of capital flowing freely across borders. So we really need to breathe new life into this project.
Steering our economy is a responsibility that cannot rest exclusively with the European Central Bank. European political leaders must strengthen the EMU so that monetary policy is not “the only game in town.”
Economists have long called for a budget for the euro area. The new BICC (budgetary instrument for convergence and competitiveness) currently taking shape is a small step but it is a step in the right direction. The euro is the monetary expression of our shared destiny. And strengthening the EMU is a collective responsibility.
One last word. We need to finance our common projects together. And we can do that by starting with pragmatic steps. For instance, the European Investment Bank could issue a larger number of safe green bonds, if it had additional capital to support the green and digital transitions. This would also expand the pool of risk-free assets denominated in euro, which is currently too small.
Today, the world is more unsettled than ever. But the European Union has a clear compass to guide us through the storm. We are focused on climate change, succeeding in the digital age, and leading on the global stage.
Yes, these goals are ambitious, very ambitious. But Europe has the talent, skills and passion to make it happen. So, we need the resources to back up these ambitions and make them a reality.
If we want to promote our European values, if we want to lead on the big issues of the 21st century, we need a global currency that matches our global ambitions. Thank you.

Compliments of the European Parliament Press Center