Under the Temporary Framework, the Commission has again approved State aid schemes launched by Member States to support their economies:
- a €21 million Belgian aid scheme to support the production of coronavirus-related medical products, equipment, technologies and raw materials in the Flemish Region;
- a €40 million Portuguese aid scheme to support businesses affected by COVID-19 in the autonomous region of Madeira. The aid will take the form of direct grants and state guarantees on loans and will be open to all companies active in the autonomous region concerned;
- an amended Hungarian scheme worth €288 million to support businesses affected by coronavirus (Source: Agence Europe).
The European Commission has approved the reprogramming of €275 million in cohesion funds that are now to mitigate the economic and social impact of the COVID-19 crisis in Slovenia. The funds will be invested in the response capacities in the healthcare sector, providing liquidity to struggling SMEs and helping vulnerable groups (Source: eureporter).
The EU is set to reopen its external borders to travellers from third countries by 1st July. A list of countries whose citizens may re-enter the EU will be determined by ongoing outbreaks. The Council will likely require that these countries must have an infection rate below the EU’s average to be on the list, which may lead to the exclusion of the United States (Source: POLITICO).