“At 18.00 today, I have received an updated report from the European Parliament’s Medical Service on the evolution of COVID-19 which states that the health risks are considered to be significantly higher if Parliament’s plenary session next week takes place in Strasbourg.

“On the basis of this evaluation, due to force majeure, I decided that the necessary security conditions are not in place for the usual transfer of the European Parliament to Strasbourg for the plenary session next week.

"I have informed the French authorities and have thanked them for their collaboration in the past days.

"The plenary session will exceptionally be held in Brussels. Parliament undertakes to reschedule a plenary session in Strasbourg in accordance with the Treaties."

Please see below the note of information sent by the President to all MEPs and staff:

Dear colleagues and staff members,

According to updated advice I received from Parliament’s Medical Service at 6 pm today, the situation related to the spread of the infectious disease caused by the novel coronavirus COVID-19 has evolved over the last few days and hours. In particular, new infection clusters have been confirmed and case numbers are rising, in a number of regions across the European Union. While the measures I already decided on 2 March 2020 still allow Parliament’s core functions to be discharged on its premises, it now appears that the journey to the part-session of Parliament in Strasbourg would involve significantly higher health risks for Members and staff as well as the local population.

I have therefore decided that, as a security measure and by derogation from the meeting calendar for 2020 as approved, next week’s part-session will exceptionally be held in Brussels for reasons of force majeure.

I have asked the Secretary-General to take the additional practical measures that the exceptional change to the venue of the part-session entails. My Decision of 2 March 2020 in relation to COVID-19 remains in force and applicable. I count on each and every one of you to act responsibly, as you have so far.

Yours sincerely,

David Maria SASSOLI