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What's the government response timeline for Somalia?

Response timeline
Response versus cases

COVID-19 government response timeline for Somalia

Find out what policies Somalia has implemented to combat the pandemic.
Mar 14th, 2020Mar 14
Level 3 of 4
C8: International travel controls - ban arrivals from some regionsDetails
On March 15, the government announced all passengers originating from China, Iran, South Korea, and Italy or transiting through one of those countries for the last 14 days will not be allowed to enter the country. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/latest-on-coronavirus-outbreak/covid-19-somalia-bans-entry-from-worst-hit-countries/1766837
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Mar 18th, 2020Mar 18
Level 4 of 4
C8: International travel controls - ban on all regions or total border closureDetails
On March 18, the Federal Government of Somalia implemented flight restrictions intended to limit the spread of COVID-19. International flights were initially suspended for a period of 15 days. On April 6, this suspension was extended for an additional 30 days, with humanitarian and cargo exceptions. https://so.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/
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Mar 19th, 2020Mar 19
Level 2 of 2
C3: Cancel public events - require cancellingDetails
To prevent the spread of the virus, the Somali Gov has shut down educational institutions, banned public events and meetings, and advised mosques to limit gatherings https://www.uncdf.org/article/5509/local-government-empowerment-is-the-key-to-containing-coronavirus-in-somalia
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Mar 19th, 2020Mar 19
Level 3 of 4
C4: Restrictions on gatherings - restrictions on gatherings between 11-100 peopleDetails
Can't find any specific size range. Just "large public gatherings have been banned" and https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/coronavirus-pandemic-experts-somalia-risk-greater-china-200319052938789.html
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Mar 19th, 2020Mar 19
Level 2 of 2
H1: Public information campaigns - coordinated public information campaign (eg across traditional and social media)Details
Since around March 19th, the Somalia Ministry of Health has been posting Coronoavirus updates and health guidelines to citizens. Due to the rampant poverty in the country, many citizens are not able to follow the guidelines and have to work. https://twitter.com/MoH_Somalia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw The MOH also has a dedicated COVID page on its website: https://moh.gov.so/en/
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Mar 21st, 2020Mar 21
Level 3 of 3
C1: School closing - require closing all levelsDetails
Confronted with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Somali Government decided to close all educational institutions, both public and private, to contain the spread of the virus. The closure became effective on 21 March and is to last until 3 April at least, though an extension of that deadline is likely. https://www.ei-ie.org/en/detail/16710/somalia-education-union-seeks-guarantee-of-teachers%25E2%2580%2599-salaries-during-covid-19-school-closures
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Mar 25th, 2020Mar 25
Level 1 of 3
H2: Testing policy - only those who both (a) have symptoms AND (b) meet specific criteria (eg key workers, admitted to hospital, came into contact with a known case, returned from overseas)Details
According to Mohamed Mohamud Ali, chairman of Somali Medical Association, up until March 19th the country didn't have a single testing kit ( https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/coronavirus-pandemic-experts-somalia-risk-greater-china-200319052938789.html) Jack Ma donated medical supplies to Somalia but even now there are only enough kits to test those who show extreme symptoms ( https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/04/somalia-struggles-coronavirus-infections-undetected-200428193056599.html)
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Apr 11th, 2020Apr 11
Level 1 of 3
C2: Workplace closing - recommend closing (or recommend work from home)Details
On April 11th, the Minister of Health and Human Services gave an update on Corona and urged everyone to follow health guidelines and stay home. This implies that the government are recommending that at least some of the population work at home https://twitter.com/MoH_Somalia/status/1249068314627837953/photo/1
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Apr 11th, 2020Apr 11
Level 1 of 3
C6: Stay at home requirements - recommend not leaving houseDetails
On April 11th, the Minister of Health and Human Services gave an update on Corona and urged everyone to follow health guidelines and stay home. https://twitter.com/MoH_Somalia/status/1249068314627837953/photo/1
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May 29th, 2020May 29
Level 3 of 3
C1: School closing - require closing all levelsDetails
Schools remain closed since initial 15 day closure was extended https://unsom.unmissions.org/somalia-and-covid-19-%E2%80%93-impact-and-response
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May 29th, 2020May 29
Level 0 of 3
C2: Workplace closing - no measuresDetails
This entry from the UNSOM website suggests businesses remain open: "While some businesses have found ways to keep going during the COVID-19 response, others are having a harder time. Authorities have urged people to stay home to halt the spread of COVID-19 and this has had a knock-on effect on Somalia’s hospitality sector. Shown here, a popular restaurant in Mogadishu, usually brimming with happy customers, is now quiet and empty." https://unsom.unmissions.org/somalia-and-covid-19-%E2%80%93-impact-and-response
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May 29th, 2020May 29
Level 2 of 2
C3: Cancel public events - require cancellingDetails
following previous coding. No specific information or updates found other than recommendations for social distancing
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May 29th, 2020May 29
Level 0 of 4
C4: Restrictions on gatherings - no restrictionsDetails
following previous coding. No specific information or updates found
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May 29th, 2020May 29
Level 0 of 2
C5: Close public transport - no measuresDetails
No information found
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May 29th, 2020May 29
Level 1 of 3
C6: Stay at home requirements - recommend not leaving houseDetails
Curfew imposed since April 15th from 8pm to 5am https://so.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/
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May 29th, 2020May 29
Level 0 of 2
C7: Restrictions on internal movement - no measuresDetails
As of june 30 May , update states: "State-level restrictions have not yet had an implication on road transport across internal borders. However, efforts are under way to further restrict movement in light of increasing COVID-19 cases." Note however that domestic airports are closed for commercial travel. https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/FGS%20FMS%20directives_Update%205%20final_eo%204.pdf
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May 29th, 2020May 29
Level 4 of 4
C8: International travel controls - ban on all regions or total border closureDetails
On March 18, the Federal Government of Somalia implemented flight restrictions intended to limit the spread of COVID-19. International flights were initially suspended for a period of 15 days. On April 6, this suspension was extended for an additional 30 days, with humanitarian and cargo exceptions. No update as to whether borders have been open https://so.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/
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May 29th, 2020May 29
Level 2 of 2
H1: Public information campaigns - coordinated public information campaign (eg across traditional and social media)Details
As part of strategic initiatives to halt the spread of COVID-19, the Federal Government of Somalia set up a toll-free call centre with the support of the United Nations and others The Somali authorities have ramped up a national public information campaign on COVID-19, using both traditional and new ways of reaching the public. This includes using radio, billboards and outdoor posters to alert and inform citizens about coronavirus symptoms and preventive measures and guidelines, as well as social media platforms. https://unsom.unmissions.org/somalia-and-covid-19-%E2%80%93-impact-and-response
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May 29th, 2020May 29
Level 1 of 3
H2: Testing policy - only those who both (a) have symptoms AND (b) meet specific criteria (eg key workers, admitted to hospital, came into contact with a known case, returned from overseas)Details
no information on testing policy either in speeches, news reports or situation updates. following previous coding since no updates found
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May 29th, 2020May 29
Level 0 of 2
H3: Contact tracing - no contact tracingDetails
no information on contact tracing either in speeches, news reports or situation updates
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Jun 11th, 2020Jun 11
Level 2 of 2
H1: Public information campaigns - coordinated public information campaign (eg across traditional and social media)Details
According to the IMF policy tracker: "In early March, the authorities have established a COVID-19 response coordination committee led by the Prime Minister and, in coordination with the WHO and the UN, the Ministry of Health has taken measures to contain the spread of the outbreak and to strengthen health systems" https://www.imf.org/en/Topics/imf-and-covid19/Policy-Responses-to-COVID-19
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Jun 23rd, 2020Jun 23
Level 3 of 3
C1: School closing - require closing all levelsDetails
Jun 23rd, 2020Jun 23
Level 2 of 2
C3: Cancel public events - require cancellingDetails
Jun 23rd, 2020Jun 23
Level 2 of 4
C4: Restrictions on gatherings - restrictions on gatherings between 101-1000 peopleDetails
Large gatherings are prohibited, with the exception of Somaliland. http://french.peopledaily.com.cn/Afrique/n3/2020/0602/c96852-9696631.html
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Jun 23rd, 2020Jun 23
Level 1 of 3
C6: Stay at home requirements - recommend not leaving houseDetails
Jun 23rd, 2020Jun 23
Level 4 of 4
C8: International travel controls - ban on all regions or total border closureDetails
Jul 1st, 2020Jul 01
Level 3 of 3
C1: School closing - require closing all levelsDetails
According to Unesco, schools remain closed, however it is also now the period of summer break so children wouldn't be in school anyway. (Source 1) The Galmudug State Ministry of Education also gave a directive to open primary schools for grade eight students from 15 June and the commencement of examinations on 11 July, providing guidance on spacing of sitting arrangements, handwashing protocols, the role of the COVID-19 committee and other related measures. (Source 2) Source 1 https://en.unesco.org/covid19/educationresponse Source 2 https://reliefweb.int/report/somalia/somalia-covid-19-impact-update-no-9-22-june-2020
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Jul 1st, 2020Jul 01
Level 0 of 3
C2: Workplace closing - no measuresDetails
Somalia businesses were not required to close, but many have been heavily impacted by the loss of customers. While some businesses have found ways to keep going during the COVID-19 response, others are having a harder time. Authorities have urged people to stay home to halt the spread of COVID-19 and this has had a knock-on effect on Somalia’s hospitality sector. Shown here, a popular restaurant in Mogadishu, usually brimming with happy customers, is now quiet and empty. https://www.un.org/en/coronavirus/somalia-braces-covid-19
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Jul 1st, 2020Jul 01
Level 0 of 2
C3: Cancel public events - no measuresDetails
Information is limited, but as of July 9th I could not find any evidence that there are specific government orders in place to cancel public events. On June 28th, there was a large political rally in Mogadishu. Local sources indicate that a large political rally is taking place in Mogadishu on Sunday, June 28, in celebration of the Lower House of parliament giving Banadir 13 seats in the Upper House in the next election. Imagery on social media outlets show hundreds of people gathered in the streets to participate in the rally. Overland disruptions are anticipated in the capital in the near term. https://www.garda.com/crisis24/news-alerts/354956/somalia-large-political-rally-in-mogadishu-june-28
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Jul 1st, 2020Jul 01
Level 0 of 4
C4: Restrictions on gatherings - no restrictionsDetails
Information is limited, but as of July 9th I could not find any evidence that there are specific government orders in place to limit public gatherings. On June 28th, there was a large political rally in Mogadishu. Local sources indicate that a large political rally is taking place in Mogadishu on Sunday, June 28, in celebration of the Lower House of parliament giving Banadir 13 seats in the Upper House in the next election. Imagery on social media outlets show hundreds of people gathered in the streets to participate in the rally. Overland disruptions are anticipated in the capital in the near term. https://www.garda.com/crisis24/news-alerts/354956/somalia-large-political-rally-in-mogadishu-june-28
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Jul 1st, 2020Jul 01
Level 0 of 2
C5: Close public transport - no measuresDetails
I was not able to find any sources that implied that public transport bans were in effect.
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Jul 1st, 2020Jul 01
Level 0 of 3
C6: Stay at home requirements - no measuresDetails
Could not find any current measures in place. This article details the difficulty of Somalians staying at home when many need to work to feed their families. A large part of the population lives in close quarters, while millions reside in decrepit settlements for internally displaced people without money to buy soap or access to regular running water. At the same time, staying at home is not a practical option for most informal workers who need to leave their homes daily to earn money and put food on the table. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/04/somalia-struggles-coronavirus-infections-undetected-200428193056599.html
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Jul 1st, 2020Jul 01
Level 0 of 2
C7: Restrictions on internal movement - no measuresDetails
Local cargo and passenger flights have resumed in Somalia after months of closure precipitated by the global coronavirus pandemic. Ahmed Moalim Hassan of the Civil Aviation Authority, who made remarks at a ceremony to mark the lifting of the local flight restrictions held at the Aden Adde Airport, said they were ready to ensure safety as the coronavirus continues to pose a threat. A cabinet meeting held last week approved a decision to resume local flights, with the condition that airlines should ensure health measures are observed. Flights were suspended in March as the country struggled to deal with a rapidly spreading global pandemic. The infection rate has in recent weeks gone down, but experts warn the virus could easily surge again if health restrictions are lifted. https://www.somaliaffairs.com/news/somalia-resumes-local-flights-as-coronavirus-infections-slow-down/
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Jul 1st, 2020Jul 01
Level 4 of 4
C8: International travel controls - ban on all regions or total border closureDetails
Although domestic flights are now allowed, It remains unclear however when authorities will reopen the country’s airspace to international flights. All land borders remain closed. https://www.somaliland.com/travel/domestic-flights-resume-in-somalia-after-three-months-restriction/
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Jul 1st, 2020Jul 01
Level 0 of 2
E1: Income support - no income supportDetails
No evidence of any income support.
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Jul 1st, 2020Jul 01
Level 2 of 2
H1: Public information campaigns - coordinated public information campaign (eg across traditional and social media)Details
Since around March 19th, the Somalia Ministry of Health has been posting Coronoavirus updates and health guidelines to citizens. Due to the rampant poverty in the country, many citizens are not able to follow the guidelines and have to work. https://twitter.com/MoH_Somalia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw The MOH also has a dedicated COVID page on its website: https://moh.gov.so/en/
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Jul 1st, 2020Jul 01
Level 1 of 3
H2: Testing policy - only those who both (a) have symptoms AND (b) meet specific criteria (eg key workers, admitted to hospital, came into contact with a known case, returned from overseas)Details
The country suffers from a limited supply of tests and a poor distribution infrastructure. By July 7, Somalia had more than 3,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and close to 100 deaths. "The problem is that we don't know the real numbers," Rached said. "The country is divided," and testing is not happening in all regions, she said, noting that in al-Shabab-controlled areas "tests are impossible." https://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2020/corruption-in-somalia-complicates-aid-during-pandemic.cfm
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Jul 10th, 2020Jul 10
Jul 10th, 2020Jul 10
Level 2 of 2
H1: Public information campaigns - coordinated public information campaign (eg across traditional and social media)Details
No change. In addition to previous measures, the Somalia Ministry of Health created a COVID-19 WhatsApp account to disseminate country information: +252.613600700 https://so.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/
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Jul 20th, 2020Jul 20
Level 3 of 3
C1: School closing - require closing all levelsDetails
No new policies.
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Jul 20th, 2020Jul 20
Level 4 of 4
C8: International travel controls - ban on all regions or total border closureDetails
No updates.
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Jul 20th, 2020Jul 20
Level 2 of 2
H1: Public information campaigns - coordinated public information campaign (eg across traditional and social media)Details
Continued coordinated public health campaign. Link: https://moh.gov.so/en/
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Jul 28th, 2020Jul 28
Level 3 of 3
C1: School closing - require closing all levelsDetails
Jul 28th, 2020Jul 28
Level 0 of 3
C2: Workplace closing - no measuresDetails
No update.
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Jul 28th, 2020Jul 28
Level 0 of 2
C3: Cancel public events - no measuresDetails
No policy found
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Jul 28th, 2020Jul 28
Level 0 of 4
C4: Restrictions on gatherings - no restrictionsDetails
No policy talking about the maximum number of people in a gathering
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Jul 28th, 2020Jul 28
Level 0 of 2
C5: Close public transport - no measuresDetails
No new update.
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Jul 28th, 2020Jul 28
Level 0 of 3
C6: Stay at home requirements - no measuresDetails
No new update.
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Jul 28th, 2020Jul 28
Level 0 of 2
C7: Restrictions on internal movement - no measuresDetails
No policy found
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Jul 28th, 2020Jul 28
Level 4 of 4
C8: International travel controls - ban on all regions or total border closureDetails
Jul 28th, 2020Jul 28
Level 0 of 2
E1: Income support - no income supportDetails
Can't find any policy in place
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Jul 28th, 2020Jul 28
Level 1 of 2
E2: Debt/contract relief - narrow relief, specific to one kind of contractDetails
Effective April 15, they introduced a three-month tax holiday on some specific basic commodities (including rice), reduced consumption tax on some additional basic goods by 50 percent and lifted restrictions on imports of rice from Vietnam. Source: https://www.imf.org/en/Topics/imf-and-covid19/Policy-Responses-to-COVID-19
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Jul 28th, 2020Jul 28
Level 2 of 2
H1: Public information campaigns - coordinated public information campaign (eg across traditional and social media)Details
Jul 28th, 2020Jul 28
Level 1 of 3
H2: Testing policy - only those who both (a) have symptoms AND (b) meet specific criteria (eg key workers, admitted to hospital, came into contact with a known case, returned from overseas)Details
Jul 28th, 2020Jul 28
Level 0 of 2
H3: Contact tracing - no contact tracingDetails
No policy
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Aug 3rd, 2020Aug 03
Level 1 of 4
C8: International travel controls - screening arrivalsDetails
The Somali government announced that international flights would resume as of Monday, August 3. "Somalia resumed international flights to and from the Horn of African nation on Monday after four months of disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The immigration department cautioned that strict health measures must be adhered to as the country reopens its airspace for international flights. The department said passengers will acquire COVID-19 clearance certificates within three days before travel, noting that all immigration services will restart at all entry points." Screening procedures are in place at airports and other points of entry. https://www.garda.com/crisis24/news-alerts/365406/somalia-international-flights-to-resume-august-3-update-4 https://africa.cgtn.com/2020/08/03/somalia-resumes-international-flights-after-four-month-suspension/ https://so.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/ https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/somalia/entry-requirements
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Aug 13th, 2020Aug 13
Level 1 of 3
H2: Testing policy - only those who both (a) have symptoms AND (b) meet specific criteria (eg key workers, admitted to hospital, came into contact with a known case, returned from overseas)Details
"“The numbers that have been reported officially are very few,” said Abdikadir Ore Ahmed. This is partly because the governments don’t have the capacity to conduct wide-scale testing and also, for many Somali’s, there is no point in getting a COVID-19 test." "Across Somalia and Somaliland, health systems are weak and some areas are inaccessible due to conflict. Because of this, widespread contact tracing is not happening and health facilities often don’t have emergency specialists or the right equipment to handle severe COVID-19 cases. Across Somalia and Somaliland, there are eight polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, testing labs, six testing centers using GeneXpert machines and only 24 intensive care unit beds for critical cases of COVID-19, according to an email from the World Health Organization." https://www.devex.com/news/stigma-and-weak-systems-hamper-the-somali-covid-19-response-97895
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Aug 13th, 2020Aug 13
Level 0 of 2
H3: Contact tracing - no contact tracingDetails
"Across Somalia and Somaliland, health systems are weak and some areas are inaccessible due to conflict. Because of this, widespread contact tracing is not happening and health facilities often don’t have emergency specialists or the right equipment to handle severe COVID-19 cases." https://www.devex.com/news/stigma-and-weak-systems-hamper-the-somali-covid-19-response-97895
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Aug 15th, 2020Aug 15
Level 0 of 3
C1: School closing - no measuresDetails
"The Somali government said it will reopen primary and secondary schools on Saturday [15th August], four months after closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Education Minister Godah Barre said on Wednesday the government has put in place the necessary preventive measures to ensure smooth learning resumes across the Horn of Africa nation." http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-08/12/c_139285948.htm https://hornobserver.com/articles/553/Somalia-to-re-open-schools-next-week-ending-months-of-restrictions
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About government response data
Data is collected from public sources by a team of over one hundred Oxford University students and staff from every part of the world. Please note: not all countries are equally up to date; for certain countries, some indicators will be missing for some days.
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Source:Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker...

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