The European Parliament’s Strasbourg facilities will host a screening centre and a COVID-19 consultation centre, according to France’s European minister Amélie de Montchalin. EURACTIV’s partner Ouest-France reports.

“With President David Sassoli, we have made it possible for the European Parliament to turn its Strasbourg buildings, during the time of the crisis, into a screening centre and a COVID-19 consultation centre,” Amélie de Montchalin told local media on 6 April.

“This should take shape over the next few days in conjunction with the Bas-Rhin prefecture and the city of Strasbourg,” Montchalin added.

Parliament President David Sassoli said last Thursday (2 April) that he had put “our own patient care centre and a fleet of 100 vehicles at the disposal of the Brussels authorities” and was ready to do the same in Luxembourg and Strasbourg if necessary.

No sessions in March and April

While much of the parliamentary work is done in Brussels, the Parliament also sits in Strasbourg, according to the EU treaties. However, MEPs only meet there for their plenary sessions for one week every month.

The Alsace region was particularly affected by the coronavirus pandemic, so the March and April parliamentary sessions were exceptionally not held in Strasbourg.

[Edited by Sam Morgan]