Agriculture ministers met on March 25 to discuss solutions to address the negative impacts of coronavirus on the agriculture and fisheries sector. They considered it necessary to introduce support measures for agriculture and stressed the importance of ensuring secure supply routes. They proposed the simplification of certain CAP procedures for farmers.

On 26 March, G20 leaders discussed the challenges posed by the epidemic which originated in China. They pledged to take all necessary financial and health measures to protect vulnerable people and strengthen information sharing and medical supplies. Measures will be taken to protect employees and SMEs to minimize the economic impact of the pandemic. In addition, G20 countries are committing a total of $5 trillion to support the economy, keeping trade links open and strengthening cooperation with the IMF and WHO.

On 26 March MEPs adopted three urgent measures to support the European economy in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic at an extraordinary session held by electronic voting: the €37 billion investment initiative, the extension of the Solidarity Fund to public health emergencies, and the temporary lifting of the obligation for airlines to use their slots which forced them to fly even when there are no passengers. The Council must formally approve these measures.

The European Council met on 26 March to discuss the European response to the coronavirus crisis. The heads of State and government instructed the Eurogroup to formulate proposals within two weeks to address the economic consequences of the pandemic. They also discussed coordinated action to stop the spread of the virus, support research, share medical equipment and repatriate European citizens to their countries.

On 25 March, the German Parliament approved a plan including a loan, a bank guarantee to businesses and direct aid to micro-enterprises and the self-employed. In France, the first economic measures came into force on 25 March, such as the creation of a Solidarity Fund for small businesses and the deferral of invoices or charges. In Spain the government set up a guarantee fund for businesses on 24 March. In Poland, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiescki assured that his government's "anti-crisis shield" would be equivalent to 10% of the country's GDP. The British government has announced measures to alleviate business costs.

On 27 March, the ministers responsible for cohesion policy discussed the measures taken in the framework of the Coronavirus Investment Initiative. They agreed on the need to make the funds accessible free of administrative difficulties and on the need to adopt rapidly the 2021-2027 budget so that the economic response to the crisis caused by the pandemic can be continued.

On 27 March, France decided to extend confinement until 15 April, and Belgium until 19 April. On 28 March, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez strengthened confinement by announcing the suspension of non-essential activities. In Germany, restrictions on movements and gatherings will not be lifted until 20 April, the Chancellery said. In the United Kingdom, where confinement is in place indefinitely, Prime Minister Boris Johnson, himself infected with Covid-19, "urged" the British to stay home. In Poland, gatherings are limited to five people until April 11, including for Mass, weddings and funerals, and travel is limited to what is strictly necessary.

Following the strengthening of containment measures in Italy on 22 March, Prime Minister Guiseppe Conte announced on 25 March certain amendments to the initial decree. Many activities, such as coal mining, oil and gas extraction and other agricultural activities have been suspended.

Andrea Enria, Chair of the ECB's Banking Supervisory Board, stressed the importance of maintaining capital in the system so that banks can grant loans and absorb losses at a time when it is particularly needed. This is why they must temporarily refrain from paying dividends or buying back their own shares in the face of the historic crisis we are facing.

The EU will suspend the rules on airport slots that require airlines to use at least 80% of their take-off and landing slots until 24 October 2020 so that they can retain them for the following year. The waiver adopted by the Council on 30 March is designed to help air carriers cope with the sharp fall in air traffic caused by the coronavirus crisis.

On 30 March, the Hungarian Parliament passed a law extending the powers of Viktor Orban's government through a state of unlimited emergency justified by the coronavirus crisis. Adopted by 137 of the 190 deputies, the text allows, among other things, to legislate by decree without Parliament, to suspend certain laws, to punish the dissemination of "false news" and to suspend elections and referendums.

On 23 March, the Commission adopted a report on the progress made under the strategic partnership initiated in 2017 with the Union's outermost regions, in which it highlights the action taken to stimulate growth in areas such as agriculture, biodiversity and the circular economy, research and innovation, employment, education and training, digital and transport.

On 26 March, the Commission recommended that the Member States make full use of the mechanisms at their disposal to screen foreign investment and points out that intervention is possible when the investment threatens public order or the security of the Union. In the context of the current crisis, the Commission is trying to protect strategic companies and technologies, in particular those in the health sector, from being taken over by companies from third countries.

On 30 March the Council adopted the free trade agreement with Vietnam, which can enter into force once the Vietnamese National Assembly has also ratified it. This is the second trade agreement with a South-East Asian country, after Singapore. Tariffs will be phased out at a rate of 99%. The agreement also contains provisions on labour rights, human rights and sustainable development. The investment protection agreement still needs to be ratified by the Member States.

In a judgment delivered on 26 March, the Court of Justice ruled that a passenger can claim compensation from an airline in the event of a long delay, even if the journey has been booked through a travel agency and there is therefore no contract directly between the passenger and the airline. The airline remains subject to its contractual obligations.

The Court of Justice ruled in a decision delivered on 26 March that consumer loan agreements must clearly state the details of the withdrawal period. It is not sufficient for the contract to refer to national legal provisions of which the consumer should become acquainted by his own means.

Europol detailed in a report published on 27 March the emergence of new criminal practices taking advantage of the situation related to the coronavirus epidemic. Organised crime networks are increasingly resorting to cybercrime, fraud in connection with virus protection equipment, the sale of fake health equipment and burglaries where criminals pose as medical personnel. In the face of these practices, Europol calls on citizens to be vigilant.

The Council of Europe's European Committee of Social Rights warned on 24 March of the situation of the social rights of children, families and migrants in Europe. The Committee published 896 conclusions, including nearly 300 findings of non-compliance with the European Social Charter. It warns in particular about child labour, exclusion, poverty and violence against children, as well as the case of stateless children. The Committee highlights the discrimination between women and men and the cases of domestic violence observed. It also notes the difficulties of access to housing for certain minorities, such as the Roma and Travellers.

In a report published on 24 March, the Council of Europe's Group of Anti-Corruption States (GRECO) calls on Croatia to step up its efforts to prevent corruption in government and the police. It suggests in particular the elaboration of a code of conduct for members of the government, integrity standards for advisory actors, and a survey of police activities most exposed to corruption.

On 24 March, Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejcinovic Buric sent a letter to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban expressing her concerns about the respect for democracy and human rights in Hungary. The establishment of a state of emergency to combat the Covid-19 pandemic has extended the Prime Minister's prerogatives. The Secretary General recalls that the state of emergency must remain an exceptional and temporary situation and preserve democratic debate.

Located in the city of Figueres, Spain, the Dalí Theatre-Museum is entirely devoted to the work of Salvador Dalí. The museum offers virtual tours and videos.

The National Museum in Warsaw gives virtual access to some of its exhibitions and collections. You can also choose certain themes, arts or artists.

The Belvedere Museum in Vienna has made its collections available to the public in a virtual way. It also organises a daily virtual guided tour at 3 pm on its Facebook page. Enjoy a complete immersion in Austrian art, from medieval times to the present day.

The Musée d'Orsay in Paris is presenting a selection of works with commentary in various fields: painting, sculpture, decorative arts, photography, graphic arts and architecture. You can learn more about the works of Cézanne, Courbet, Degas, Manet or Bourdelle.

The Commission has launched the #CreativeEuropeAtHome campaign to identify cultural activities funded by its Creative Europe programme. Programme beneficiaries can promote their initiatives on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter using keywords, some of which will be shared on the programme's accounts.