Responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2021

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

This article documents the chronology of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2021, which originated in Wuhan, China in December 2019. Some developments may become known or fully understood only in retrospect. Reporting on this pandemic began in December 2019.

Reactions and measures in Africa

Reactions and measures in the Americas

Reactions and measures in the Eastern Mediterranean

Reactions and measures in Europe

Reactions and measures in South and Southeast Asia

1 March

  • In Malaysia, preschoolers, Year One, and Year Two primary pupils resume face-to-face classes as part of a phased reopening of schools.[1]

2 March

4 March

  • The Malaysian Special Committee on Ensuring Access to Covid-19 Vaccine Supply (JKJAV) confirmed that 80,336 Malaysians had received their first COVID-19 vaccine dose.[3]

11 March

  • The Malaysian Government announced the Emergency (Essential Powers) (No.2) Ordinance 2021, which states that those who spread "fake news" "by any means, with intent to cause, or which is likely to cause fear or alarm to the public" could face a fine of RM100,000 or three years imprisonment or both.[4]

24 March

  • The Singaporean and Malaysian Foreign Ministers Vivian Balakrishnan and Hishamuddin Hussein have confirmed that the two governments will be working together to recognise each other's COVID-19 vaccine certificates with the goal of restoring cross-border travel in the future.[5]

29 March

The Malaysian Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin confirmed that the second phase of the country's national immunisation programme would begin on 19 April 2021, focusing on the elderly, disabled and those with comorbidities.[6]

Reactions and measures in the Western Pacific

1 March

5 March

  • New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced that Auckland will move to Alert Level 2 lockdown from Alert Level 3 at 6 am on 7 March. Meanwhile, the rest of New Zealand will move to Alert Level 1 at 6am on 7 March.[8][9]

7 March

8 March

12 March

  • In New Zealand, Auckland moved back to Alert level 1 on midday, lifting social distancing and public gathering restrictions in the city.[12]

13 March

20 March

See also

References

  1. ^ "Pre-schoolers, Year One, Two students resume classes today". Malay Mail. 1 March 2021. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  2. ^ Anand, Ram (2 March 2021). "Malaysia lifts MCO as cases taper down, vaccination drive kicks in". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 2 March 2021. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  3. ^ "Covid-19 vaccination: More than 80,000 people have received their first dose so far". The Star. 4 March 2021. Archived from the original on 4 March 2021. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  4. ^ Gangadaran, Vanissa (11 March 2021). "Jail, RM100,000 fine for those who spread fake news on Covid-19, Emergency from Friday (March 12)". The Star. Archived from the original on 12 March 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  5. ^ Kanyakumari, D. (23 March 2021). "Singapore, Malaysia to work towards recognising COVID-19 vaccine certificates, 'progressively restore' cross-border travel". Channel News Asia. Archived from the original on 24 March 2021. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  6. ^ Pfordten, Diyana (29 March 2021). "Covid-19: Second phase of national immunisation programme to begin April 19, says Khairy". The Star. Archived from the original on 29 March 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
  7. ^ "Covid-19 vaccinations at Port of Tauranga begin". Radio New Zealand. 1 March 2021. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  8. ^ Whyte, Anna (5 March 2021). "Auckland moving out of lockdown on Sunday morning". 1 News. Archived from the original on 5 March 2021. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  9. ^ "Covid 19 coronavirus: Auckland to move to level 2, rest of NZ to level 1". The New Zealand Herald. 5 March 2021. Archived from the original on 5 March 2021. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  10. ^ "Fiji first Pacific country to benefit from COVAX Covid-19 Vaccines". Radio New Zealand. 7 March 2021. Archived from the original on 7 March 2021. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
  11. ^ "Enough doses of Covid-19 vaccine for every New Zealander secured by Government". 1 News. 8 March 2021. Archived from the original on 9 March 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  12. ^ Walls, Jason (12 March 2021). "Covid 19 coronavirus: Auckland moves to alert level 1 from midday Friday, announces Jacinda Ardern". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 12 March 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  13. ^ "Travellers from Niue to resume quarantine-free travel into New Zealand". 1 News. 13 March 2021. Archived from the original on 13 March 2021. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  14. ^ Simon Denyer (20 March 2021). "Tokyo Olympics organizers ban spectators from outside Japan in pandemic-control measure". Washington Post. Retrieved 20 March 2021.