European Union: General Court Rules European Commission Must Grant Wider Access to COVID-19 Vaccine Purchase Agreements
On July 17, 2024, the General Court of the European Union (EU) held that under an EU freedom of information law, the European Commission (Commission) failed to give sufficient public access to COVID-19 vaccine purchase agreements. Six members of the European Parliament (MEPs) had brought an action for annulment before the court and requested access … Continue reading “European Union: General Court Rules European…
Contributor:
Gesley, Jenny
Date:2024-09-04
Article
United Kingdom: Tobacco and Vapes Bill Introduced
On March 20, 2024, the government of the United Kingdom (U.K.) introduced the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which is designed to stop addiction and create the first ever smoke-free generation in the U.K. by completely prohibiting the sale of tobacco to those born on or after January 1, 2009. The aim of the bill, which … Continue reading “United Kingdom: Tobacco and Vapes Bill…
Contributor:
Feikert-Ahalt, Clare
Date:2024-04-17
Article
Mexico: Government Issues Decree Ending COVID-19 Health Emergency
On May 9, 2023, the Mexican government published a decree declaring the termination of the public health emergency it had instituted by its 2020 Public Health Emergency Declaration (PHED) to address the COVID-19 epidemic.The decree states that the PHED had been issued by Mexico’s health authorities on March 27, 2020, to adopt pertinent emergency measures … Continue reading “Mexico: Government Issues Decree Ending COVID-19…
Contributor:
Guerra, Gustavo
Date:2023-06-11
Article
Brazil: National Health Surveillance Agency Updates Its Guidelines on Use of Masks
On April 3, 2023, the Brazilian National Health Regulatory Agency (Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária, ANVISA), updated its technical note (ANVISA – Nota Técnica GVIMS/GGTES/ANVISA No. 04/2020) that established guidelines for health services on measures to prevent and control Covid-19 while providing assistance to persons with confirmed or suspected cases of the disease.One of the … Continue reading “Brazil: National Health Surveillance Agency Updates…
Contributor:
Soares, Eduardo
Date:2023-05-10
Article
China: Management of COVID-19 Downgraded
Effective January 8, 2023, the preventive and control measures for the top Class A infectious diseases under Chinese law will no longer apply to COVID-19, China’s National Health Commission (NHC) announced on December 26, 2022. Previously, on January 20, 2020, the NHC had announced that the State Council had approved listing COVID-19, then called “novel … Continue reading “China: Management of COVID-19 Downgraded”
Contributor:
Zhang, Laney
Date:2023-01-06
Article
Norway: Eidsivating Appeals Court Finds Border Restriction Imposed During COVID Pandemic Unlawful
On September 14, 2022, the Appeals Court for Eidsivating issued a decision in favor of a Norwegian citizen who was fined for crossing into Norway illegally during a time when the border from Sweden at Linna, Norway, was closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Eidsivating court’s decision reverses a lower court’s judgment and annuls the … Continue reading “Norway: Eidsivating Appeals Court Finds Border…
Contributor:
Hofverberg, Elin
Date:2022-11-06
Article
Norway: Appeals Court Holds COVID Hotel Quarantine Rules Do Not Violate Constitution or European Convention on Human Rights
On July 6, 2022, the Norwegian Appeals Court for Eidsivating ruled that ordering foreigners to stay at designated quarantine hotels for 10 days did not violate their rights under the Norwegian Constitution or their right to family life under article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), allowing a monetary fine for a … Continue reading “Norway: Appeals Court Holds COVID Hotel…
Contributor:
Hofverberg, Elin
Date:2022-08-02
Article
Egypt: Prime Minister Cancels COVID Restrictions on Entry of Foreigners and Egyptians into Country
On June 16, 2022, Dr. Mostafa Kamal Madbouly, Egypt’s prime minister and chairman of the Supreme Committee for the Management of the Epidemic and Health Pandemic Crisis (Supreme Committee) issued Resolution No. 2 of 2022, repealing all previous restrictions imposed on the entry of Egyptians and foreigners into the country during the COVID-19 pandemic. The … Continue reading “Egypt: Prime Minister Cancels COVID Restrictions…
Contributor:
Sadek, George
Date:2022-07-19
Article
Sweden: Parliamentary Ombudsman Criticizes University for Refusing Access to Public Documents During COVID Pandemic
On April 29, 2022, the Swedish Justitieombudsmän (Parliamentary Ombudsmen) (JO) issued a decision criticizing the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences for refusing a patron in-person access to public documents during the COVID-19 pandemic and for failing to produce a written decision documenting the refusal.The JO is tasked with overseeing the work of the government agencies … Continue reading “Sweden: Parliamentary Ombudsman Criticizes University for…
Contributor:
Hofverberg, Elin
Date:2022-05-23
Article
Brazil: Ministry of Health Ends Public Health Emergency
On April 22, 2022, Brazil’s Ministry of Health enacted Administrative Act No. 913 (Portaria GM/MS No. 913, de 22 de Abril de 2022), which declares the end of the Public Health Emergency of National Importance (Emergência em Saúde Pública de Importância Nacional, ESPIN) instituted to combat COVID-19 infections in the country. Accordingly, the act revokes … Continue reading “Brazil: Ministry of Health Ends Public…
Contributor:
Soares, Eduardo
Date:2022-05-02
Article
Jordan; Saudi Arabia; Egypt: COVID Restrictions Eased during Month of Ramadan
The Kingdom of Jordan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Arab Republic of Egypt have each implemented measures to ease COVID-19 pandemic restrictions during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which started at sundown on Saturday, April 2, and ends at sundown on Sunday, May 1, with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr beginning at … Continue reading “Jordan; Saudi Arabia; Egypt: COVID Restrictions…
Contributor:
Sadek, George
Date:2022-04-29
Article
Equatorial Guinea: Presidential Decree Authorizes Relaxing Some COVID Epidemic Restrictions, including Curfew
On March 18, 2022, the president of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, issued a decree, Decreto 23/2022, ordering that certain COVID-19-related restrictions in the country be eased.The preamble of the decree explains that in late January 2022, the COVID-19 transmission rate began decreasing substantially and the trend has been sustained since then. As of … Continue reading “Equatorial Guinea: Presidential Decree Authorizes Relaxing…
Contributor:
Guerra, Gustavo
Date:2022-03-31
Article
Sweden: Parliament Revokes COVID-19 Emergency Legislation
On March 23, 2022, the Swedish parliament voted to revoke the temporary COVID-19 emergency legislation (known as the Pandemic Act), as well as a law on measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 in bars and restaurants. In accordance with the decision, the laws will expire on March 31, 2022.In the same decision, the parliament … Continue reading “Sweden: Parliament Revokes COVID-19 Emergency Legislation”
Contributor:
Hofverberg, Elin
Date:2022-03-29
Article
Austria: General COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate Suspended
On March 12, 2022, the Austrian government, in agreement with the Austrian National Council (lower house of parliament), suspended the country’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate. A general COVID-19 vaccine mandate had entered into force in Austria for every Austrian resident 18 years or older on February 5, 2022. Section 19, paragraph 2 of the COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination Act … Continue reading “Austria: General COVID-19 Vaccine…
Contributor:
Gesley, Jenny
Date:2022-03-17
Article
Italy: Recent Measures to Tackle the Pandemic
On January 8, 2022, Decree Law No. 1 (D.L. No. 1) of January 7, 2022, on Urgent Measures to Tackle the COVID-19 Emergency, in Particular in Workplaces, Schools, and Higher Education Institutions entered into effect in Italy. (Decreto-Legge 7 gennaio 2022, n. 1, Misure Urgenti per Fronteggiare l’Emergenza COVID-19, in Particolare nei Luoghi di Lavoro, … Continue reading “Italy: Recent Measures to Tackle the…
Contributor:
Figueroa, Dante
Date:2022-03-16
Article
Switzerland: Government Ends Almost All COVID-19 Measures
On February 17, 2022, the Swiss Federal Council (government) terminated almost all measures previously implemented to stop the spread of COVID-19, including mask wearing in most public places, restaurants, and workplaces. The only measures that will remain in place are the requirement for persons 12 years and older to wear a mask on public transportation … Continue reading “Switzerland: Government Ends Almost All COVID-19…
Contributor:
Gesley, Jenny
Date:2022-02-18
Article
Austria: General COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate Enters into Force
On February 5, 2022, a general COVID-19 vaccine mandate entered into force in Austria for every Austrian resident 18 years or older. No direct coercion will be used to enforce it, meaning no one will be imprisoned for noncompliance; only administrative fines will be imposed. The COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination Act (Act) will be automatically repealed … Continue reading “Austria: General COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate Enters…
Contributor:
Gesley, Jenny
Date:2022-02-10
Article
Italy: Declaration of State of Emergency due to COVID-19 Pandemic Extended
On December 25, 2021, Decree Law No. 221 (D.L. No. 221) entered into effect in Italy, extending the declaration of national emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic and implementing other urgent measures to safeguard human health.Declaration of National Emergency due to COVID-19Considering the health risks associated with the protracted spread of the COVID-19 virus, D.L. … Continue reading “Italy: Declaration of State of Emergency…
Contributor:
Figueroa, Dante
Date:2022-01-21
Article
Germany: New Requirements for Exceptions to COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation Rules Adopted
On January 15, 2022, an amendment to the COVID-19 Protective Measures Exceptions Ordinance (COVID-19-Schutzmaßnahmen-Ausnahmenverordnung, SchAusnahmV) and the Ordinance on Coronavirus Entry Regulations (Coronavirus-Einreiseverordnung, CoronaEinreiseV) entered into force in Germany. The amendment changes the definitions of who is considered vaccinated or recovered by referring to the latest criteria developed by the Paul-Ehrlich-Institute (PEI) and the Robert … Continue reading “Germany: New Requirements for Exceptions to…
Contributor:
Gesley, Jenny
Date:2022-01-17
Article
Switzerland: Government Shortens Quarantine and Isolation Period, Proposes Extending Validity of COVID-19 Measures to March
On January 12, 2022, the Swiss Federal Council (government) decided to shorten from 10 days to five days the COVID-19 isolation and quarantine period for persons who have been infected or have had close contact with an infected person. The amendment of the COVID-19 Special Situation Ordinance entered into force the next day, January 13. … Continue reading “Switzerland: Government Shortens Quarantine and Isolation…
Contributor:
Gesley, Jenny
Date:2022-01-13
Article
Finland: Supreme Court Declares Judges’ Participation via Videolink a Procedural Error
On December 22, 2021, the Supreme Court of Finland found in two criminal appeal court cases that the participation of the judges via videolink constituted a procedural error, and remanded one of the cases.Criminal Procedure in FinlandThe Act on Criminal Procedure provides that parties may participate in proceedings electronically if the defendant agrees and the … Continue reading “Finland: Supreme Court Declares Judges’ Participation…
Contributor:
Hofverberg, Elin
Date:2022-01-12
Article
Russian Federation: Government Approves Nonconsensual Use of Patents in Emergency Situations
The Civil Code of the Russian Federation allows the government to use inventions, utility models, and industrial designs without the consent of the patent holder when this is justified by needs of national defense and security. In these cases, the patent holder must be notified and paid reasonable compensation. (Civil Code art. 1360.) To implement … Continue reading “Russian Federation: Government Approves Nonconsensual Use…
Contributor:
Roudik, Peter
Date:2021-12-30
Article
Norway: Influenza Becomes Reportable Contagious Disease
As of December 13, 2021, influenza has been included on the list of contagious diseases whose occurrence laboratories must report to the Norwegian Surveillance System for Communicable Diseases (Meldingssystemet for smittsomme sykdommer, MSIS).The Regulation on the Reporting System for Contagious Diseases (MSIS Regulation) (Forskrift om Meldingssystem for smittsomme sykdommer (FOR-2003-06-20-740) (MSIS-forskriften)) includes several categories (A, … Continue reading “Norway: Influenza Becomes Reportable Contagious Disease”
Contributor:
Hofverberg, Elin
Date:2021-12-29
Article
Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia: Governments Adopt New Precautionary Measures to Combat COVID-19’s New Variant
During the months of November and December 2021, the governments of Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia announced new precautionary measure to combat the spread of omicron, the new variant of the COVID-19 virus.EgyptOn November 27, 2021, the Egyptian prime minister, Mustafa Madbouly, issued a decision to ban all direct flights coming to and from seven … Continue reading “Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia: Governments Adopt…
Contributor:
Sadek, George
Date:2021-12-15
Article
Italy: Urgent Measures Taken to Boost the Economy and Counteract Mafia Infiltration
On November 7, 2021, Decree-Law No. 152 (D.L. No. 152) on urgent provisions to implement the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) and prevent Mafia infiltration entered into effect in Italy. The new legislation complements Decree Laws Nos. 77 and 80 of 2021.Tax Credit for Tourism BusinessesThe decree establishes a tax credit of up to 80% … Continue reading “Italy: Urgent Measures Taken to…
