The European Commission classified the novel coronavirus as a mid-level threat to workers, drawing criticism from socialist lawmakers because the move will allow less stringent workplace safety measures than if the virus was deemed a high risk, Reuters reported.

The Commission, the EU’s executive arm, classified the novel coronavirus as a level-3 hazard on a four-step risk list on which level 4 is the highest.

The decision has wide economic and health implications as it could affect companies’ costs in restarting business activity and have an impact on workers’ safety.

Opinion

Editorial

Exit strategy
Updated 18 Mar, 2026

Exit strategy

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Unsafe trains
18 Mar, 2026

Unsafe trains

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Disappointment in Dhaka
18 Mar, 2026

Disappointment in Dhaka

FOR a side looking for lift-off after a disappointing T20 World Cup, it was despair for Shaheen Shah Afridi’s ...
Missing in action
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Missing in action

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Risk to stability
Updated 17 Mar, 2026

Risk to stability

THE risks to Pakistan’s fragile economic recovery from the US-Israel war on Iran cannot be dismissed. Yet the...
Enrolment push
17 Mar, 2026

Enrolment push

THE federal government has embarked upon the welcome initiative to enrol 25,000 out-of-school children in Islamabad...