Vita Gazette- Italy, one of the countries that had the most severe covid epidemic, included the citizens of the European Union (EU) within the scope of the measures it took against the new version of the pandemic, Omicron, and this decision caused a discussion in the union. Prime Minister Mario Draghi, during the EU summit, stated that the Omicron variant is less common in Italy than in other member countries, “We must maintain this advantage to protect our national health system. This is the reason behind the decision to have those who enter Italy take the tests. ‘The principle of maximum attention’ should guide coordination at EU level” he said.

The decision of Prime Minister Mario Draghi to impose a test requirement on those who came to Italy from abroad and to quarantine the unvaccinated until January 31 caused ‘confusion’ in the EU. Because this decision, which was taken without informing the EU, also included citizens of EU member states. The issue has become one of the main topics of the European Council, which continues in Brussels. During the talks, views were expressed such that the effort should be coordinated, that the restrictions should be based on objective criteria, that they should not harm the functioning of the single market, and that they should not disproportionately hinder the freedom of movement and travel between member states.

Prime Minister Mario Draghi reminded that the Omicron variant is currently less common in Italy than in other member states. And, “We must maintain this advantage to protect our national healthcare system. This is the reason behind the decision to have those who enter Italy take the tests. Coordination at EU level should be guided by the principle of maximum attention.