Questions and answers on COVID-19: Current situation in the EU

1. What is the situation in Europe at the moment?

For the latest update, see the Weekly Country Overview:

2. How are countries in the EU/EEA responding to COVID-19?

All countries in the EU have responded to the situation by implementing a comprehensive package of measures, including

• surveillance
• testing
• increased hospital and isolation capacity
• contact tracing
• case management and strategies to mitigate the impact of the pandemic, such as promoting basic hand and cough hygiene measures
• physical distancing measures
• vaccination.

3. What is the EU/EEA doing to control the pandemic? 

ECDC is in regular contact with the European Commission, the World Health Organization (WHO), national public health institutes in EU/EEA countries and other institutions to ensure an ongoing assessment of the epidemiological situation in the EU/EEA, as well as to exchange experiences and discuss best practices.

ECDC continuously assesses the risk for EU citizens and publishes weekly comprehensive updates, in order to inform the European Commission and the public health authorities in EU/EEA Member States. ECDC and WHO develop technical guidance to support countries in their response and are carrying out joint surveillance of COVID-19 cases. The European Commission ensures the coordination of risk management activities at the EU level.

ECDC has supported EU/EEA Member States and the European Commission throughout the COVID-19 pandemic by providing the scientific background necessary to help Member States take complex decisions in these unprecedented times. To tackle the emergence of virus variants, ECDC provides virus genome sequencing services to Member States upon request and is investing in sequencing capacity developments throughout the EU/EEA.

ECDC provides standard protocols for surveillance and testing approaches to Member States. Through its epidemic intelligence work, the Centre collects comprehensive daily epidemiological data on COVID-19 worldwide.

As the pandemic evolves, ECDC continues to summarise the best available evidence and regularly updates its risk assessments and technical guidance documents on the basis of emerging evidence. It thereby makes new scientific information accessible to the European Commission, EU/EEA Member States and the public. ECDC’s support to Member States also includes guidance provided remotely via video- or teleconferences, webinars, trainings and exchanges on technical documents.

4. Am I at risk of contracting COVID-19 infection in the EU/EEA?

ECDC is continuously evaluating the infectious risk for EU/EEA citizens and updates its risk assessment accordingly. As SARS-CoV-2 is a new virus, and both natural and vaccine-induced immunity may partially wane, most people are still at risk of infection.

You can find the latest information in our weekly situation updates and regular risk assessments.

5. Where can I learn more about the epidemiological situation in my country and the national guidelines?

All EU/EEA countries have dedicated websites with information for the public on COVID-19 and the national epidemiological situation. Consult the website of a country’s national authorities to receive advice tailored to that specific national context.