EU leaders stress importance of boosters and coordinated travel rules

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, second right, speaks to Czech Republic’s Prime Minister, Andrej Babis, second left, during a round table meeting at an EU summit in Brussels (Olivier Hoslet/Pool Photo via AP)

European Union leaders have agreed that administering booster jabs is “urgent” and “crucial” to tackle the surge of coronavirus infections across the continent and the emergence of the new Omicron variant.

With the festive season looming, the bloc’s leaders also stressed the importance of coordinated action to avoid a confusing cacophony of rules in the 27 member states, and to ensure that Covid-19 certificates continue to guarantee unrestricted travel.