Press release – President Sassoli press conference on EP decisions to respond to COVID-19 crisis

The briefing will take place in the Anna Politkovskaya pressroom and via Skype.

Parliament will be using an interactive virtual press environment (with interpretation) based on Skype TX, in conjunction with the traditional EbS and web-streaming services.

If you wish to ask a question:

  • You will need a SKYPE account.
  • Connect to VOXBOXEP and write your name and media organisation in the chat box

Please use headphones and microphone for better sound quality.

The system will be managed by Parliament’s media services and you will be placed in a queue (virtual waiting room) before being invited to ask your question(s).

In case of troubles connecting, you can contact: +32 22834220.

N.B. You should only connect through Skype if you wish to ask a question. After asking a question / listening to the reply (and any follow-up), you should then disconnect from Skype so that the next journalist in line can be connected to the press briefing room.

Follow the press conference LIVE on EP MMC or EbS+

REMINDER: working conditions in Parliament for journalists in light of Coronavirus

In an effort to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus, Parliament is reducing the need for physical meetings on its premises, without compromising its role of democratic scrutiny nor its ability to approve the necessary legislative measures to combat the virus and support the public, consumers, businesses and emergency services.

Those parliamentary activities still taking place (including this week’s plenary session) will be web-streamed and can be followed by the media without requiring your physical presence on EP premises.

You are therefore advised not to come in person unless absolutely necessary. If you do, you are requested to respect the standard recommended guidelines on social distancing and hygiene. Please refrain from coming to EP premises if you present any symptoms of a respiratory infection, if you have knowingly been in contact with an infected person in the last 14 days or if you have been to regions with very high transmission rates.

For updated guidance see:

https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/geographical-distribution-2019-ncov-cases https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/InfAZ/N/Neuartiges_Coronavirus/Risikogebiete.html