COVID-19 | WHO “concerned” over easing of euro matches

“COVID-19 cases are already on the rise in some host cities and match-playing areas,” WHO Europe Executive Director Rob Butler told AFP in a written statement.

The UN body, which has refused to name cities or countries in particular, has been accused of “increasing the number of spectators currently allowed to watch a match at some stadiums hosting the tournament”.

British officials announced on Tuesday that they would allow more than 60,000 spectators at Wembley for the semi-finals and tournament finals, up from 40,000 initially planned and 22,500 in the first round.

The UEFA has demanded from London that the travel restrictions linked to COVID-19 be lifted for the 2,500 VIPs expected for the final on July 11, and that the press talk of threats of rehabilitation.

In areas where the epidemic is on the rise, WHO Europe on Tuesday called on the relevant host cities to act quickly.

“We need to act quickly […] By developing testing and sequencing, accelerating contact tracing and vaccinating those who are vulnerable and at high risk, ”she said.

29 cases in Denmark

In Denmark, Danish officials announced on Tuesday that 29 cases had been identified in connection with the ongoing euro meetings in Copenhagen.

It relates to cases where the person became ill during the match or became infected during the match. In theory, more people could be infected, “said Annie Lickey Petrie, a health official.

In the Nordic country, the gauge has grown to 25,000 viewers since June 17, up from the 16,000 initially planned.

The single stadium of the competition with 67,000 seats in Budapest is taking place at full capacity. UEFA has eliminated two of the company’s cities, Dublin and Bilbao, due to their small size.

Among the organizing cities, St. Petersburg has seen an increase in cases in Seville, for example, when the trend has come down in recent days.

In Rome, Italian authorities confirmed that the COVID-19 case had not been found.

As the epidemic situation in Europe improved over the past two months with a reduction in cases and deaths and the recent easing of sanctions, the WHO has repeatedly called for caution and issued specific recommendations for the euro.

“We are far from in danger,” Hans Kluge warned in early June in Europe, which includes 53 territories, some of them in Central Asia.