Policy

The Argentine Government created a Special Government Unit to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. It will be made up by scientists, researchers and policymakers. The unit’s main task will be to advise the Presidency and the Ministry of Health on matters regarding available human resources and infrastructure to tackle the pandemic, and to develop new resources, such as self-testing kits.

The National COVID-19 Coordination Commission (NCCC) was established to advise the Prime Minister on actions to anticipate and mitigate the economic and social effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Executive Board of Commissioners advise on all non-health aspects of the pandemic response, and work in tandem with the Chief Medical Officer (CMO). Its members comprise leaders across the private and not-for-profit sectors, and senior government officials.

The NCCC is based in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. The existing National Coordination Mechanism is based in the Department of Home Affairs and reports to the NCCC. The Business Liaison Unit based in the Department of Treasury also reports to the NCCC.

The Ministry of Economy amended allocation to R $ 40 billion in direct transfers to states and municipalities, suspension of debts with the Union (R $ 20.6 billion for states and R $ 2 billion for municipalities) and suspension of debts with Caixa Econômica Federal and BNDES in 2020 (R $ 10.6 billion for states, R $ 4.2 billion for municipalities).

The Ministry of Economy Federal Revenue Service (RFB) of the Ministry of Economy suspended deadlines for the practice of procedural acts and administrative procedures and restricted, until May 29, access to various services, by means of mandatory prior appointment.

The Ministry of Economy suspended State debts to the Union (R 12.6 billion) and Renegotiation with banks (R $ 9.6 billion) as part of a cooperation package for states and municipalities to combat Covid-19.

No further details are recorded for this policy. Refer to the citations below for more information.

No further details are recorded for this policy. Refer to the citations below for more information.

The Prime Minister created a crisis organization in order to implement President’s Macron’s plan to combat the virus.

The crisis organization was put together to deal with non-health-related issues brought on by the pandemic, such as border security and enforcement of quarantine orders.

The crisis organization was designed to work in tandem with the country’s Minister of Health, who would maintain jurisdiction over health-related issues.

The German Parliament allowed freedom-limiting measures against members of Parliament in line with infection protection law.

The competent authorities are obliged to inform the President of the German Parliament immediately of the measures ordered against a Member of Parliament.

The Committee on the Verification of Credentials, Immunities and Rules of Procedure is entitled to examine whether such measures are justified under the Infection Prevention Act and whether the measure unduly impairs the functioning of the German Bundestag.

General measures under the Infection Protection Act, such as curfews, may not prevent Members of Parliament from exercising their mandate, in particular from travelling to meetings of the German Parliament.

The Prime Minister announced the creation of a ‘COVID-19 Economic Response Task Force’ under the Union Finance Minister.

The Task Force will consult stakeholders to inform decision making, and ensure implementation of the decisions.

The Irish Government made provision for the temporary reassignment of public servants. All Civil and Public Service bodies must identify employees who can be released from their ordinary roles.

An automated system will match the temporary assignee with the required role identified by location preference, job category, experience and skills and put them in contact with their new temporary manager.

The New Zealand Government changed the law to modify timing requirements for local government by-elections, and allow local government chief executives to postpone by-elections. As part of the same legislation, the government made a number of administrative changes to assist local government administration.

The New Zealand Government has relaxed requirements on people serving community or home detention sentences.

Probation officers and the chief executive of the department of corrections can temporarily vary conditions of sentences, and cancel hours of community work or extend the time in which they are to be completed. Probation officers can also temporarily vary release conditions for paroled prisoners.

The New Zealand Parliament established a special committee to scrutinise the activities of the New Zealand Government while Parliament is adjourned. The committee, known as the Epidemic Response Committee, will be made up of 11 members of parliament, six of whom will be members of the opposition.

The leader of the opposition will chair the committee, which will meet by videoconference three days a week from 31 March 2020. Meetings will be streamed on the Parliament’s website and broadcast on its television channel.

The New Zealand Government declared an epidemic under the country’s public health law, which provides the government special powers to respond to COVID-19. The executive branch of government may change laws where necessary.

The declaration also allows administrative changes to social services, immigration and the conduct of elections. Emergency benefits can now be granted to temporary workers and temporary visas will be extended. Election authorities can provide alternative means of voting or adjourn voting at polling places. The declaration will expire after three months.

Speaker Asad Qaiser decided to allow meetings of National Assembly committees to be held by video link.

The measure is intended to revive the non-legislative business of the National Assembly after the Speaker cancelled all committee meetings on 14 March.

The National Assembly is the lower house Pakistan's parliament.

The federal government instructed all non-essential staff of authorities, autonomous/semi autonomous bodies, ministries/divisions/attached departments, and corporations from attending offices for 15 days.

The government discouraged handshakes and social embracing, and advised that inter-office meetings or discussions should preferably be done through video conferences. If necessary, meetings should ensure a distance of at least one metre between seats.

Arrangements would be made at entry points of all public offices for checking the temperature of persons entering the premises.

No further details are recorded for this policy. Refer to the citations below for more information.

The government of South Africa announced a risk adjusted approach to re-opening the economy after national lockdown.

This approach consists of five coronavirus levels:

Level 5: Drastic measures required to contain the spread of the virus and save lives (national lockdown).

Level 4: Some activity can be allowed to resume subject to extreme precautions to limit community transmission and outbeaks.

Level 3: Easing some restrictions including on work and social activities to address a high risk of transmission

Level 2: Further easing of restrictions but the maintenance of physical distancin and restrictions on some leisure and social activites to prevent resurgence of the virus.

Level 1: Most normal activities can resume.

The national coronavirus alert level was to be reduced from level 5 to level 4 on Friday 1 May.

The Government of South Africa announced that the President, Deputy President, Ministers and Deputy Ministers of South Africa will take a one third salary cut for three months.

The reduction in salaries will be donated to the Solidarity Fund.

The Government of South Africa established a solidarity fund, into which businesses, organisations and people can donate money.

The fund will complement action taken by the government to stop the spread of COVID-19. It will support efforts to combat the spread of the virus, track the spread, care for those who are ill, and support those whose lives are disrupted.

The fund will be administered by a team drawn from financial institutions, accounting firms and the government. All expenditure will be published on the fund's website.

The Government has provided R150 million as an initial donation to the Fund.

On 9 April the fund allocated R1 billion for purchasing sterile gloves, face shields, surgical masks, test kits and ventilators.

The Electoral Court decided to postpone all by-elections scheduled for March, April, and May, in response to COVID-19.

Following the announcement of the National State of Disaster, Parliament declared a final sitting of the National Assembly, to be held on 19 March 2020.

After this sitting day, Parliament is suspended until further notice.

Spain's Prime Minister announced a four phase deescalation plan to return to a sense of normality while also controlling corovonavirus.

Each phase will be a mininum for two weeks.

Spain is currently in phase zero, or the preparation phase.

Under phase 1, small businesses will be allowed to reopoen, and specific shopping hours will be organised for those over 65 years old.

Phase 2 will allow restaurants to carry out table service, and educational centres will be open. Cultural events with less than 50 people inside and 400 people outside will be allowed.

Phase 3 will involve limtied restrictions, the details of which have yet to be outlined.

The Council of Ministers approved the distribution of 300 million euros to Autonomous Communities to mitigate the impact of COVID-19.

The Minister of Health was temporarily entitled to determine the best distribution of technical resources, including those from the military forces, private health sector, and even private business as hotels

B90 million to be allocated to 47 digital startups to develop national core technology in areas critical to virus response, including agriculture, education, finance, government services, tourism and healthcare.

The UK Government committed a further £350m to support the devolved administration in Wales tackle coronavirus.

This funding comes from the £5bn rapid response fund created in the March 11 Budget. The Welsh administration had received £250bn from this fund prior to 15 April 2020.

The UK Government announced measures to release of low-risk offenders within weeks of their release dates from prison.

Eligible offenders will be electronically tagged, subject to strict conditions and temporarily released on licence in stages. Offenders can be immediately recalled to prison for breaching these conditions or committing further offences.

No high-risk offenders, including those convicted of violent or sexual offences, anyone of national security concern or a danger to children, will be considered for release, nor any prisoners who have not served at least half their custodial term.

Additionally, no offender convicted of COVID-19 related offences, including coughing at emergency workers or stealing personal protective equipment, will be eligible.

No prisoner would be released if they have symptoms of coronavirus or without access to housing and health support.

The UK Government established four new committees to respond to the coronavirus pandemic. The subjects of each committee will be health, public sector preparedness, economy and international response. The committees will regularly meet with representatives from relevant sectors.

The UK government relaxed various legal requirements on the public service and local authorities to allow services to operate remotely and with reduced staff.

Local authorities social care duties will be relaxed to allow prioritisation of resources.

Educational institutions and childcare providers will be allowed to continue to operate without following ordinary rules, including teacher ratio and school meal requirements.

The UK border may be closed if there are so few border security staff that there is a real and significant threat to border security.

Courts will be allowed to conduct more proceedings by video and audio link. The Treasury will be able to transact business with authority of fewer senior officials.

The UK Government required businesses involved in a food supply chain to provide the government with information to enable the government to find out if a food supply chain is at risk of disruption.

The UK Government requested the Ministry of Defence (MOD) for additional non-uniform personnel to assist Local Resilience Forums to support local authority elements of COVID-19 response plans, including social care.

This is in addition to the 38 already involved in helping Local Resilience Forums with local planning. Up to 70 MOD planners and Liaison Officers have been activated to support public services, local authorities and emergency services in preparing their response to the coronavirus outbreak.

The Government of Vietnam issue Directive 19, setting guidelines on measures to keep the country clear of COVID-19 while its economy restarts after strict social distancing measures.

The Government of Vietnam declared a nationwide epidemic. The announcement was seen as a pure legal formality as Vietnam has already implemented robust responses to curb the spread of the disease since it emerged in Vietnam.

The Government of Vietnam established a steering committee, responsible for assisting the Prime Minister in directing, administering and coordinating the COVID-19 response across government and other organisations.

The committee directs coordination between ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-attached agencies, Party agencies, the Fatherland Front and People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities in order to mobilize resources for implementation of the Ministry of Health's emergency plan for prevention and control of COVID-19.

The German Government, with the support of federal and state research institutions, is developing a SARS-CoV-2 database in which inpatient treatments are documented and evaluated. This is part of the WHO solidarity trial.

The Government of Iran called for an end to US-imposed sanctions against Iran.

The government stated that sanctions and trade restrictions had blocked the purchase of medicine and medical equipment.

This request was expanded upon in a 12 March letter to the UN Chief from the Iranian Foreign Minister.

New Zealand joined a statement by the Asia Pacifiec Economic Cooperation (APEC) ministers responsible for trade, committing to work together to ensure trade an investment continue.

The New Zealand Government entered a trade agreement with Singapore concerning continuing trade in essential COVID-19 related products.

The agreement lists more than 120 products on which both countries will undertake to remove tariffs, not to impose export restrictions and to remove non-tariff barriers to trade. The countries also undertake to keep supply chains operating effectively for the listed products.

The products include personal protective equipment, medical equipment, nutritional products, medicines and hygiene supplies.

The agreement is an 'open plurilateral' agreement which means other WTO member countries may join at any time. New Zealand and Singapore encourage other countries to join.

The agreement builds on a declaration made by New Zealand and Singapore on 21 March 2020.

The New Zealand Government has provided NZ$5 million in aid to Tonga. The aid comprises NZ$4 million in general budget support and $NZ1.1 million to support implementation of Tonga's pandemic plan.

The New Zealand Government is seeking to negotiate reciprocal transit agreements with other countries to facilitate the return of people to their home countries, including New Zealanders.

Foreign nationals will be able to transit through New Zealand but cannot enter New Zealand and must be catching an onward flight within 10 hours of arriving.

Transiting passengers must have no COVID-19 symptoms, no contact with a suspected or confirmed case and not be awaiting test results. They must also have confirmation from the airline that they will be permitted to board for their entire journey and confirmation prior to boarding that their destination country will permit arrival.

The New Zealand and Australian governments agreed transit arrangements.

Australian citizens, residents and immediate family are able to transit New Zealand to Australia, and New Zealand citizens, residents and immediate family are able to transit Australia to New Zealand.

Australian citizens and permanent residents who normally live in New Zealand can also return to New Zealand.

In a televised address, Prime Minister Imran Khan requested that leaders of wealthy countries, the UN secretary general and heads of financial institutions provide debt relief to developing countries, such as Pakistan, to enable them to combat COVID-19.

The World Bank provided a US$200 million package for Pakistan aimed at healthcare, education and economic support measures, as part of the Pandemic Response Effectiveness Project (PREP).

The package will finance cash transfers to the poorest and most affected households, and will provide emergency food supplies to people in quarantine or with limited mobility.

Funding will also go to providing remote learning education, as well as strengthening national and provincial laboratory capacity.

The project is financed from the International Development Association, which is the World Bank’s concessional credit window for developing countries.

The Swedish Government, via the Swedish International Development Agency, will contribute SEK 100 million to the United Nations’ global humanitarian plan of response, as announced by the UN’s secretary general on the 25th of March.

The funding will be going to the UN’s children’s fund (UNICEF), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

The U.S. Congress allocated $88 million for the Peace Corps, $324 million for diplomatic programs, $258 million for international disaster assistance, $350 million for migration and refugee assistance and $95 million for USAID operating expenses as part of phase 3 legislation.

The U.S. Congress funded $300 million for the International Disaster Assistance (IDA) account in the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to support humanitarian assistance needs related to coronavirus as part of phase 1 legislation.

Việt Nam will receive an aid package worth US$9.5 million to cope with COVID-19, including $5 million for economic assistance funds.

The funds will be used to provide essential resources for immediate assistance to revive the private sector by minimising the financial impact caused by the pandemic on small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), address the non-financial effects that these SMEs are facing, and cooperate with the Vietnamese Government’s stakeholders to strengthen the Government’s bailout intervention.

The US aid package also includes a previously announced $4.5 million medical assistance for the Vietnamese Government to prepare a laboratory system and activate a surveillance system of suspected cases. It also covers the support for experts in response to COVID-19, education, and community-based engagement to prevent the spread of the disease at entry points and public heathcare facilities.

Speaking at the online Special ASEAN - US Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on COVID-19, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh statethat Vietnam will enhance its cooperation with other countries, including the US, as well as the World Health Organisation and the international community in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh proposed a “Four S” strategy for combatting COVID-19.

The first “S” is SOLIDARITY as Viet Nam strongly believes in multilateralism in which multilateral institutions play a critical role in leading and coordinating global efforts to address non-traditional security challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

The second “S” is SHARE. Information, experience, best practices, and advances in research and development should be shared, while vaccines and medicines must be made available, affordable and accessible to all.

The third is STOP, meaning that actions that hinder efforts or aggravate the situation must be stopped. The Foreign Minister supported the UN Secretary-General’s appeal to waive sanctions that undermine countries’ capacity to respond to the pandemic.

The fourth is STIMULATE the economy because countries need to start preparing their post-COVID19 development plans, which includes coordinated policies and measures to stimulate the economy, trade and investment, stabilize the financial market, and restore the confidence of businesses and the people.

The Government of Vietnam sent medical equipment to strategic partner countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, the United States, Lao and Cambodia.

The Argentine Government confirmed that infants born later than 20 February 2020, who may not yet have a National Identity Document, will be guaranteed medical coverage for the isolation-period and 45 days after it.

The Australian Government is providing AUD$150 million to support people experiencing domestic and family violence.

The funding will expand existing measures under the National Plan to reduce Violence against Women and their Children.

No further details are recorded for this policy. Refer to the citations below for more information.

No further details are recorded for this policy. Refer to the citations below for more information.

The Government of Austria set aside 100 million EUR in support for social care institutions.

The Canadian Government will provide CA$305 million to a new, distinctions-based Indigenous Community Support Fund to address “immediate needs in First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities.”

The Canadian Government intends for the funds to flow directly to Indigenous communities. Indigenous leadership will retain flexibility over how the funds are spent..

The German Government together with the state ministries of economics are setting up contact points for companies affected by disruption of international supply chains. At the political level, these should help to ensure that the production and delivery of required supplier products can be resumed smoothly wherever possible.

The Irish Government suspended driver theory tests and practical tests until 19 April, except for people who are working in essential services such as healthcare or supply chain jobs.

The government plans to allow for NCT and licences to be automatically renewed during the emergency period.

The Dutch Government has deployed a navy ship for three months to help authorities in the Caribbean Netherlands respond to COVID-19. It is intended to provide support towards the transport of essential food, equipment and personnel; as well as assist maritime border surveillance and local healthcare. A hurricane emergency response kit is also on board.

France and the United Kingdom also have a naval vessel in the area. A coordination centre has been set up with these countries in Martinique to cooperate where necessary.

The Dutch Government and university institutions have agreed to postpone the Binding Study Advice (BSA) for tertiary students to next year.

The BSA is a standard used to determine whether first-year students can continue studying their course programme the following year. Students are usually required to meet a certain number of credits under BSA to be able to go through to the second year. Students who currently do not have the required number of credits to meet the BSA standard are being given extra time to meet it in the following academic year (2020-2021).

The Government is also helping students with additional loan options or tuition credit as needed, as well as extending vocational course deadlines, and registrations for university courses from 1 May 2020 to 1June 2020

The New Zealand Government granted an extension on all drive licenses, warrants and certificates of fitness and some other registrations. Any documents expiring on or after 1 January 2020 will be valid for up to six months from 10 April 2020. Drivers will be responsible for keeping their vehicle safe.

The Government of South Africa began recruiting an additional 1,809 social service workers at the provincial level to provide support to families affected by COVID-19.

The UK Government launched a new public information campaign to address loneliness during this period of physical and social isolation.

The campaign builds on the UK Government's existing Let's Talk Loneliness campaign.

£5 million from the previously announced £750 million fund for the charity sector has been guaranteed for organisations dealing with loneliness. The Culture Secretary announced that loneliness would be a priority category for distributing resources from the £750 million fund.

The UK Government announced measures to release of low-risk offenders within weeks of their release dates from prison.

Eligible offenders will be electronically tagged, subject to strict conditions and temporarily released on licence in stages. Offenders can be immediately recalled to prison for breaching these conditions or committing further offences.

No high-risk offenders, including those convicted of violent or sexual offences, anyone of national security concern or a danger to children, will be considered for release, nor any prisoners who have not served at least half their custodial term.

Additionally, no offender convicted of COVID-19 related offences, including coughing at emergency workers or stealing personal protective equipment, will be eligible.

No prisoner would be released if they have symptoms of coronavirus or without access to housing and health support.

The UK Government granted an exemption from vehicle testing for six months. The exemption is intended to allow deliveries to continue and essential workers to travel to work.

The UK Government offered to refund all advance tickets purchased before 23 March 2020.

This measure is intended to reimburse ticket holders who are no longer able to travel, following the government reducing rail services and restricting travel to key workers and other essential travel.

The U.S. Congress delayed the tax return filing deadline from 15 April to 15 July 2020, as part of phase 3 legislation.

The Canadian government launched a new app aimed at providing Canadians with the most up-to-date information regarding the pandemic.

The app is free, and provides general information on what the virus is, how it spreads, and what primary symptoms it comprises. Additionally, the app provides information on how to prevent the spread, explaining physical distancing and how to practice proper hand hygiene. It also gives users travel advice and links to available government financial support.

The content on the app is provided by Health Canada and was developed by Thrive Health.

The Government of India launched the Aarogya Setu (bridge to healthcare) mobile app.

The app alerts users if they have come in contact with a COVID-19 positive patient, and what measures they need to take.

The Ministry of Health is coordinating the activation of a GIS mapping of ‘disease hotspots’ and availability of medical facilities, with the National Disaster Management Authority, relevant agencies and government departments.

The New Zealand Government revised aspects of its four level COVID-19 alert system. The changes were made ahead of a potential decision to move from level four — the highest, most restrictive level — to level three.

The revisions detail what restrictions will be imposed under level three. The government is yet to decide whether to transition to level three. A decision will be announced on 20 April.

Everyone who can work from home must continue to work from home. People must remain only in contact with their household 'bubble', but some expansion is allowed to reconnect with family or provide care. Bubbles must remain exclusive.

Funerals and weddings may be held but with a maximum of ten people and must be limited to a service without a meal or reception.

Businesses without a customer facing function can open provided health and safety and physical distancing rules are followed.

Bars, cafes and restaurants will remain closed but takeaways can be sold. Businesses accessed by the public or customers can open but only for online or phone orders.

Domestic travel will be limited to travel within a region.

Swimming, surfing and shore fishing will be allowed. Public playgrounds will remain closed.

The New Zealand Government established a WhatsApp channel to provide news and advice about COVID-19.

The Ministry of Health has published COVID-19 information and guidelines in Russian, Urdu, French, English, Philipino and Portugese.

The document includes information about COVID-19 such as transmission, symptoms, prevention and the importance of hand hygiene.

The Government of South Africa initiated a new monitoring and evaluation process to assess complaints of misinformation from the media, the public and other sectors of society.

The process allows for fake news items to be taken down, and for cases to be submitted to the police service for investigation and prosecution.

The UK Government launched a new public information campaign to address loneliness during this period of physical and social isolation.

The campaign builds on the UK Government's existing Let's Talk Loneliness campaign.

£5 million from the previously announced £750 million fund for the charity sector has been guaranteed for organisations dealing with loneliness. The Culture Secretary announced that loneliness would be a priority category for distributing resources from the £750 million fund.

Public Health England launched new advice focused on looking after people’s mental wellbeing during the coronavirus pandemic.

The range of new resources include a tailored COVID-19 Mind Plan, COVID-19 specific content for individuals and their loved ones, and support for specific mental wellbeing issues such as anxiety, stress, low mood and trouble sleeping.

The campaign is part of the Public Health England's pre-existing Every Mind Matters mental health awareness campaign.

The UK Government launched a GOV.UK Coronavirus Information service on WhatsApp to provide information on coronavirus prevention and symptoms, the latest number of cases in the UK, advice on staying at home, travel advice and myth busting.

The Department of Health and Social Care launched the next stage of expanded COVID-19 public information campaign.

The UK Government launched a public information campaign focused on washing hands for 20 seconds.

The Prime Minister attended a ceremony to launch two new high tech apps to help prevent and control COVID-19.

The first technology will allow medical examinations and treatment to be carried out remotely. In particular, it can carry out electrocardiographic consultations and ultrasound scans remotely for people with chronic diseases who should be examined.

The second piece of equipment uses a Bluezone app and can detect other people nearby who are positive for the virus through previously saved data. This will help the authorities track and trace people who have come into close contact with positive patients.

The Government of Vietnam released an app to trace COVID-19 cases and disseminate official information.
Citizens can update their daily health status and they can also provide information to the best of their knowledge about cases suspected of having the COVID-19 in their residential areas.
Data collected through the app will help the nation’s health sector to identify who needs medical assistance in the fastest and most effective manner.
The app also serves as an official channel for competent authorities to disseminate the COVID-19 epidemic situation as well as health recommendations to citizens.

The Government of Vietnam began a mass media and communications campaign concerning COVID-19.

This involved telecom carriers sending about 1 billion messages to subscribers to raise awareness about the disease, a system of hotlines of central and local agencies, a grassroots information system where a commune, ward speaker sends warning messages twice a day to people.

Zalo, the biggest Vietnamese social media outlet, sent auto messages to users every day to raise awareness and the government cooperated with Facebook to remove 11 fake Ministry of Health accounts.

The Irish Government cancelled the oral and practical performance tests of the state examinations which were scheduled to take place from Monday 23 March to Friday 3 April 2020. Students who were due to take these tests will be awarded full marks.

The Dutch Government and the Public Body of Bonaire cooperated to arrange emergency childcare for children whose parents work in essential services including healthcare, emergency services, police, customs and others.

The New Zealand Government increased the amount that students can borrow on government-provided student loans.

Temporarily, students will be allowed to borrow NZ$2,000 for course related costs, rather than NZ$1,000 which is the ordinary yearly limit.

Students will be able to continue to receive other student loan payments as normal for the four weeks of COVID-19 alert level 4, essentially a lockdown, and four weeks afterwards.

The government also made technical changes to student loan rules to ensure that fee refunds do not affect future entitlement to student loans, and that students unable to complete courses in 2020 due to COVID-19 do not lose their entitlement to fees-free tertiary study.

Prime Minister Imran Khan launched a Tele School TV channel.

The measure is intended to mitigate the loss faced by the students due to the closure of educational institutions until 31 May.

The Government of Peru distributed 800,000 tablet computers to rural homes for children who need them.

The Government of Peru closed universities and vocational education until 30 March 2020.

Due to the delay caused by the school closures, the Ministry of Education announced that the college entrance exam for the 2021 college year would be delayed by two weeks to December 3rd, 2020.

A similar delay was applied to the deadline for performance-based early admissions, with the deadline now falling on September 16th of 2020.

The Ministry of Education advised cram schools to temporarily suspend classes to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The Ministry of Education announced it would offer emergency childcare services to nursery, kindergarten, and elementary school-age children between 2 March and 6 March, until 17:00 for each day.

The Ministry of Education additionally announced it would provide hosting sites operating instructions of emergency childcare services, that included proper disinfection, communication, and health protocol, including twice daily fever checks of staff and students.

The Department for Education launched a voucher scheme. Children eligible for free school meals will receive £15 worth to spend at supermarkets while schools are closed due to coronavirus.

The UK Government will continue to pay childcare subsidies to childcare providers during any closure or time when children cannot attend because of the coronavirus pandemic. The policy is intended to minimise short-term disruptions in the early childhood sector and provide stability to providers.

Tens of millions of students from kindergartens to high schools nationwide returned to school on Monday morning after a three-month closure to prevent COVID-19 transmission.

Among the 63 provinces and centrally-run cities in the country, 18 reopened all schools on Monday, and more than 30 others that welcomed students between sixth and 12th grades back since late April now have reopened kindergartens and primary schools.

Meanwhile, more than 10 localities, including Hà Nội and HCM City, will reopen primary schools and kindergartens later.

The Ministry of Education reopened schools in the following localities: An Giang, Bac Lieu, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Bac Kan, Binh Dinh, Dien Bien, Dong Thap, Gia Lai, Ha Tinh, Hai Duong, Hai Phong, Kien Giang, Lang Son, Long An, Nam Dinh, Nghe An, Ninh Binh, Ninh Thuan, Phu Yen, Son La, Thai Nguyen, Thua Thien-Hue, Tuyen Quang, Vinh Long, Cao Bang, Bac Ninh, Hoa Binh, Hung Yen, and Kon Tum.

Earlier, the Ministry of Education and Training sent a dispatch to the heads of the Departments of Education and Training of provinces and centrally run cities, asking them to enhance measures to ensure safety for pupils, students, and teachers when they return.

The measure is intended to mitigate the risk of the virus spreading through the country’s jails.

The Irish courts will only hear urgent matters.

The courts have decided that urgent family law matters are certain orders relating to protecting people from violence and certain orders relating to care of children.

Other essential business is limited to applications for bail, habeas corpus, injunctions, examinerships, urgent wardship matters, urgent judicial review applications and issue of proceedings where the statutory time limit to issue will expire before 14 April 2020.

Court offices are open for essential business and by appointment only.

The Dutch Government has passed an emergency law to facilitate judicial or legal processes during the coronavirus pandemic.

The 'Emergency Justice and Security Act' allows legal consultation and decision-making processes to temporarily occur electronically (e.g. for annual general meetings of large businesses or associations, hearings or trials by lawyers, drawing up legal deeds such as wills). It will also allow police to collect saliva or mucus from suspects if they are suspected of a serious infectious disease to allow testing for COVID-19.

The emergency law will be in force until 1 September 2020, with a possibility for extension by two months each time.

The Dutch Government, through Youth Care and Family Guardianship Caribbean Netherlands (JGCN), has asked the public to keep an eye out for vulnerable children and families in their area, and seek help if necessary.

Since safe spaces such as schools, childcare and sports facilities have closed due to COVID-19, extra stress have been placed on families which can result in an increase in domestic violence and abuse.

The Pakistan Army deployed troops across the country to assist civilian authorities in containing the spread of Covid-19 at the request of the interior ministry. Troops have been deployed in all four provinces, and in Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

The troops will assist federal and provincial governments in enforcing containment measures, and will help with contact tracking, identification and isolation of suspected cases, and the management of 182 quarantine facilities that have been set up across the country.

The President of South Africa deployed the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to support the South African Police Service in the enforcement of the lockdown.

On 28 March the Reserve Force was called up to assist with SANDF activity. The South African Military Health Service also called up Reserve Force doctors, nurses, and operational emergency care practitioners to assist with the pandemic response.

The Chief Justice of the South African Constitutional Court announced that the courts would be closed to the general public.

The Chief Justice also introduced increased hygiene and physical distancing measures to limit the risk of spread of COVID-19, while ensuring the courts continue to function.

The UK Government temporarily suspended all face-to-face Parole Board hearings and new jury trials h. The Parole Board will progress cases through a combination of remote hearings and a paper review process, sometimes combined with case management hearings.

The UK Government restricted prisoners activities to enforce physical distancing. Prisoners can no longer use the gym, go to worship or visit the library. Prisoners will be given support, such as advice on in-cell worship, exercise and managing anxiety.