UK seeks access to EU health cooperation in light of coronavirus

After vehemently seeking an exit from the European Union, sources report that the United Kingdom government has now sought help from the EU’s pandemic warning system. 

The European Union’s Early Warning and Response System (EWRS) is used by the EU to coordinate and decide on a contingency plan for any sort of disaster. The EWRS has been a crucial part of the continent in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The British government has reportedly asked for a membership to the EU’s system. 

In February, it was reported that the United Kingdom was interested in negotiating certain urgent matters of national interest (ie. health security) with the European Union. 

UK Seeks Help From The EU

On March 1st, a prominent news source reported that the Department of Health had requested to be a part of the European Union’s Early Warning and Response System but the request had been denied. 

One top official brushed the question aside when asked if the nation wanted to be a member or if they just wanted to participate in the European Union’s Early Warning and Response System. 

The pandemic has claimed over 27,000 deaths in the United Kingdom to date. 

When asked, a source from the European Union said that the EU did not think it was appropriate for the UK to be a primary member, instead, the officials at the EU were considering plugging the country in whenever a pandemic breaks out. This is the same privilege enjoyed by other countries that are not part of the European Union. 

Britain’s rising interest in the European Union has been noticed since Britain has perfect attendance for all the meetings called in by the EU on matters relating to health security. 

A spokesperson from the British government said that the safety of its citizens was paramount and that they were ready to negotiate and coordinate with any international Organization. 

sources