Vials and syringes are seen in front of displayed EU flag in this illustration photo taken March 16, 2021. BRUSSELS: The European Union refined its rules on the export of COVID-19 vaccines on Wednesday , giving it a clearer right to block shipments to countries such as Britain with higher inoculation rates and to those not exporting their own vaccine doses.
The granting of export licences will be based on reciprocity and"proportionality" - the epidemiological situation, vaccination rate and access to vaccines in the destination country.EU officials say export restrictions could also kick in if companies do respect quarterly contracts but backload supplies at the end of the period.
EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides said the situation in many EU countries was"alarming", with increasing cases in 19 EU members and rising fatalities in eight.While France, Germany and Italy broadly support tighter export curbs on those who do not reciprocate, countries including the Netherlands, Belgium and Ireland are more cautious about cutting off Britain.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.