The European Council, meeting by videoconference on 17 March, adopted the measures proposed by the Commission to combat the coronavirus epidemic, including the introduction of restrictions on entry into the Union from third countries. Other measures include temporary rules for the granting of State aid, the economic support package, recommendations on the EU's internal borders, the sharing of medical equipment and funds for research. The Heads of State and government also decided not to meet for the European Council scheduled for 26 and 27 March, but to hold a weekly video conference.

On 18 March, the European Central Bank announced the launch of a new contingency plan to deal with the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic. It will repurchase €750 billion of public and private bonds by the end of 2020, the largest refinancing operation in its history. The Governing Council expressed its determination to take all measures at its disposal to support the euro area.

On 19 March, the Commission presented a strategic reserve of the RescEU programme dedicated to medical equipment to deal with Covid-19. This will have a budget of €50 million, 90% of which will be covered by the European budget. It will contain equipment to be used by the most affected Member States to deal with the coronavirus: respirators, masks, vaccines and laboratory equipment. Each Member State will be able to volunteer to host a storage site and place orders for the equipment.

On 19 March the Commission published its recommendations to the Member States on Community public health measures and screening. These documents propose to coordinate Member States' approaches. The first proposes postponing non-urgent surgery, setting up more teleconsultations and mobilising all qualified personnel or personnel in training to combat the virus. The second recommends that priority should be given to screening hospital patients and carers.

On 18 March, the Commission presented guidelines to help European passengers and carriers cope with flight cancellations due to restrictions imposed by national governments to combat the Covid-19 pandemic. The guidelines will apply to journeys made by air, rail, sea or bus.

Transport ministers, meeting by videoconference on 18 March, discussed the Commission's proposals to decongest internal borders and ensure the free movement of goods, in particular medical equipment, despite the restrictions applied to persons. In particular, the Commission proposes to set up so-called "green" priority lines for freight transport and to make driving and rest rules more flexible.

Employment and Social Affairs Ministers discussed the social and economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic by videoconference on 20 March. They were able to exchange views on the measures taken in their respective countries to help vulnerable businesses and individuals. They also discussed the use of European funds to support the European economy.

On 19 March the Commission adopted a temporary framework for State aid to ensure that companies have sufficient liquidity during the Covid-19 crisis. The temporary framework includes 5 types of aid: direct grants, loan guarantees, public loans, guarantees for banks and export credit insurance.

Spain, the second most affected European country after Italy, closed its borders with France and Portugal on 17 March, while the population has been confined since 14 March. In Germany, the authorities banned gatherings of more than two people on 22 March and the population is being asked to stay in their homes. In a rare move, the Chancellor appeared on television on 18 March. In France the population is to be confined until at least 31 March, and Parliament has adopted a health emergency plan. In Poland, gatherings of more than 50 people are banned and only essential shops are open. In the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the confinement of the population on 23 March.

On 23 March, the Ministers for the Economy and Finance approved the activation, for the first time, of the general derogation clause of the Stability and Growth Pact in order to address the socio-economic consequences of the coronavirus. The measure, proposed by the Commission on 20 March, means that Member States will be able to derogate from the fiscal rules imposed and thus increase their deficits in order to combat the negative effects of the pandemic.

Serbian President Alexandar Vucic announced on 17 March the postponement of all upcoming elections in Serbia, in particular the parliamentary elections on 26 April. Macedonian President Stevo Pendarosvki also postponed the parliamentary elections scheduled for 12 April.

On 21 March, the Italian government decided to step up measures to try to slow down the Covid-19 pandemic. Travel by public or private public transport is prohibited, except for proven work requirements, absolute urgency or for health reasons. Production activities "that are strictly necessary, crucial and indispensable" have also been suspended.

Ministers for industry and the internal market discussed the consequences of the coronavirus by videoconference on 20 March. They reaffirmed the importance of protecting the single market against the risk of fragmentation under the pressure of the pandemic, which would lead to major disruptions in production chains. They also discussed ways to increase the production of medical equipment, business support measures and the protection of the free movement of goods and services.

OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurria proposed on 20 March an international action plan to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic, stressing the need for coordination in vaccine production, in the regulation of macroeconomic and financial policies, and to restore confidence.

On 18 March the Commission published its draft agreement for the future partnership with the United Kingdom. It incorporates the Directives approved by the Member States and covers all aspects of the future partnership: legal, economic, commercial and judicial. For its part, the United Kingdom is also preparing texts on its future relationship with the European Union at a time when the rounds of negotiations have been suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Foreign Ministers discussed the international response to the coronavirus during a videoconference on 23 March. They discussed the repatriation of EU citizens from third countries, assistance to the countries most vulnerable to the virus and misinformation targeting EU citizens outside the EU. The implementation of the EU-Turkey agreement on migration and the progress of discussions on the creation of a new mission in the Mediterranean, to monitor the arms embargo on Libya, were also discussed.

In February, the number of detections of illegal border crossings on major European migration routes decreased, according to data published by Frontex on 16 March. The agency counted around 6,200, down 42% from the previous month. The Eastern Mediterranean route remains the most used, followed by the Western Balkans, where Afghan and Syrian nationalities are the most represented among migrants.

The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) announced on 20 March the launch of an investigation into fake coronavirus-related products. These products sold at between €5 and €10 each, three times the market price, are presented as protection against the virus and are shipped with false import certificates. However, they do not protect against coronavirus, and can be dangerous to health, as they do not comply with European standards.

The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights made public on 17 March a letter addressed to Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President of the European Commission, and Ylva Johansson, Commissioner for Home Affairs, in which she draws their attention to important human rights issues concerning the protection of the rights of migrants, including refugees and asylum-seekers, in the member States of the European Union and its immediate neighbourhood.

The Council of Europe's Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) published its report on Belgium on 18 March. It notes progress since the previous report in 2013. It recommends, however, that the obligation for public and private service providers to report illegal residents be discontinued. ECRI remains concerned about certain points such as the consideration given to diversity in schools, victims' access to justice, cyber-harassment, the integration of migrants and the protection of Travellers' rights.

EU annual inflation fell to 1.6% in February 2020, down from 1.7% in January, and euro area annual inflation was 1.2%, down from 1.4% in January, Eurostat announced on 18 March . The lowest annual inflation rate was recorded in Italy (0.2%), and the highest in Hungary (4.4%).

612,700 first-time asylum seekers were registered in 2019 in the EU, according to data published by Eurostat on 20 March. This represents an increase of 12% compared to 2018, but is still half the number recorded in 2015. The majority of asylum seekers came from Syria, Afghanistan and Venezuela. 23% of applications were lodged in Germany and 20% in France. At the end of the year, 842,500 asylum applications were still being examined in Europe.

Bavaria's museums are putting their collections online, from German Renaissance painting to 20th century art, from the Romantics to the Impressionists. In addition, a virtual exhibition is devoted to portraits by Anthonis van Dyck, a 17th-century Flemish painter.

The Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid offers an exhibition dedicated to Pablo Picasso's Guernica. A digital exploration of the painting allows the visitor to understand the context of the work through academic and historical debate, including commentaries by Picasso himself.

The European Centre of Solidarity in Gdansk traces the history of the trade union Solidarnosc (Solidarity) and its mission to promote democracy, citizenship and solidarity. The whole Centre, and in particular its seven exhibition rooms, can be visited virtually.

The Liverpool Museums are opening part of their collections to virtual tours. The World Museum immerses you in ancient history, natural history and archaeology, science and space.