The shock caused by the coronavirus pandemic affects everyone. However, there are big differences in the extent of the harm caused, and the long-term development of the pandemic and associated crises are highly uncertain.

Inequalities have been on the rise, particularly in case of certain vulnerable groups, those who remained all the time at work, but often had low income: health workers, grocery store workers, delivery workers, Amazon factory workers, or street cleaners, among others. Lower income individuals run greater health risks, and many of them are women.

Not all work is suited to transition to teleworking. This is particularly the case for precarious workers. Other factors have also contributed to the increase of social divides across generations and regions. Beside the closure of businesses, school closures have put enormous pressure on families. Aspects of this situation may cause lifelong harm, such in the case of the youngest children who might never recuperate the benefits for their personal development and social integration, school children who miss the opportunity to learn foundational lifelong skills, and those secondary school students who were about to take their exams.

The pandemic has also deeply affected quality of life, including mental wellbeing, trust and employment prospects. Finally, many households have been facing the prospect of falling into poverty due to a drop in their income linked to the coronavirus crisis and their limited resources to cope with the financial shocks.

Concrete measures the EU took to support the economic recovery are: the EU's recovery plan, Next Generation EU, SURE: temporary support for workers, amendments to the EU budget to address urgent issues,re-direction of EU funds to help member states most in need, support to most affected sectors

9th parliamentary term

Coronavirus outbreak (T)

social life (T)

Coronavirus outbreak: impact on social life (2020)

Press conference by David SASSOLI, EP President on the latest situation on COVID-19 and European Parliament's response

Press conference by David SASSOLI, EP President - Latest situation on COVID-19 and European Parliament's response

A tourist centre is closed in Lisbon downtown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Infoclip: The right to disconnect

Infoclip: Illustration of the lockdown situation in Prague, Czech Republic

Infoclip: Illustration of the lockdown situation in Dublin, Ireland

A person uses the free Czech Covid-10 tracker eRouška app on his mobile phone in Prague. With the help of Bluetooth the application detects in a totally anonymous way the other users of the application with whom you have been in close contact and can warn you if you have met an infected person and should consider a quarantine volunteer or consult a health care professional if symptoms occur.

The shadow of a medical worker wearing a protective equipment testing a social worker for Covid-19 is projected on the wall of a nursing house in Prague.

Lockdown situation in Brussels imposed by Belgian authorities to limit the spread of COVID-19 virus - empty streets

A man is using the Covid Tracker App in Kilmainham Hospital (not a medical hospital) in Dublin, Ireland on November 12, 2020 during a level 5 lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sterilising materials are seen in a Dublin bus during a level 5 second lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which restricts people’s movements to a 5 km radius.

Infoclip: Lockdown situation in Berlin, Germany

EPRS policy podcast - Impact of the pandemic on elections around the world: From safety concerns to political crises

EPRS policy podcast - Impact of coronavirus on EU aid to the most deprived

EPRS policy podcast - How digital technology is easing the burden of confinement

A terrace of a restaurant is closed in Lisbon downtown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

View of the Praça do Comércio in Lisbon during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A souvenir shop is closed in Lisbon downtown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

People queue in front of a restaurant proposing takeaways in Prague downtown during the second lockdown period imposed by the Czech authorities to stop the spread of COVID-19 virus.

A closed souvenir shop in Prague downtown is seen during the second lockdown period imposed by the Czech authorities to stop the spread of COVID-19 virus.

View of the Covid-19 test sampling point on Venceslas square in Prague during the second lockdown period imposed by the Czech authorities to stop the spread of COVID-19 virus.

A closed shop in Prague downtown is pictured during the second lockdown period imposed by the Czech authorities to stop the spread of COVID-19 virus.

A woman walks past the shopping mall in Prague downtown during the second lockdown period imposed by the Czech authorities to stop the spread of COVID-19 virus.

A closed restaurant of Prague’s Old Town Square is pictured during the second lockdown period imposed by the Czech authorities to stop the spread of COVID-19 virus.

A closed thai massage salon in Prague is pictured during the second lockdown period imposed by the Czech authorities to stop the spread of COVID-19 virus.

People pass in front of closed shop in a street nearby the Old Town Square of Prague during the second lockdown period imposed by the Czech authorities to stop the spread of COVID-19 virus.

A woman passes in front of a closed restaurant in Prague downtown during the second lockdown period imposed by the Czech authorities to stop the spread of COVID-19 virus.

A closed touristic shop in Prague downtown is seen during the second lockdown period imposed by the Czech authorities to stop the spread of COVID-19 virus.

Infoclip: lockdown situation in Barcelona, Spain

Infoclip: lockdown situation in Rome, Italy

Impact of Covid-19 measures on democracy, fundamental rights and rule of law: statement by Juan Fernando LÓPEZ AGUILAR (S&D, ES), rapporteur

EU measures to mitigate social and economic impact of Covid-19: extracts from the debate

Plenary session: EU measures to mitigate social and economic impact of Covid-19. MEPs debate

Plenary session: EU measures to mitigate social and economic impact of Covid-19. Opening statement by Paolo GENTILONI, European Commissioner for Economy

Plenary session: EU measures to mitigate social and economic impact of Covid-19. Closing statement by Paolo GENTILONI, European Commissioner for Economy

Press conference by David SASSOLI, EP President on the latest situation on COVID-19 and European Parliament's response: Questions & answers

Opening of “Femmes” exhibition at the Parlamentarium: visit and statement by David SASSOLI, EP President

EPRS - Ten opportunities for Europe post-coronavirus

EPRS - Living in the EU: Work before the coronavirus crisis

Infoclip: Covid-19 - Out of lockdown - reopening of EP Visitors centre

Infoclip: Covid-19 - Out of lockdown - free outdoor cinema with security distancing

Infoclip: Covid-19 - Out of lockdown: reopening of cultural venues

Infoclip: Covid-19 - Out of lockdown: Struggling tourism sector

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