COVINFORM - Synthesis and lessons learnt on governmental responses and impacts

The research conducted in COVINFORM has provided in-depth analysis on the multi-dimensional socio- economic and behavioural impact that relate to the COVID-19 pandemic and the relevant multi-layered responses from national, regional and local governmental entities, international organizations, non-governmental organizations and relevant stakeholders. In particular, Work Package 4 (WP4:Government responses and impact assessment) emphasizes on analysing governmental responses to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVINFORM consortium partners have conducted desktop research in the respective target countries as well as empirical research that involve expert interviews, demonstrating that the main outcomes that are produced by this deliverable stem from a comparative analysis on data drawn from the aforementioned research activities. The current deliverable, D4.4 Synthesis and lessons learnt on governmental responses and impacts, aimed to synthesize the data drawn from the empirical and desktop research, by conducting an interpretation of the analysis between the governmental structure per country and adaptations for COVID-19: As of January 2020 until March 2021 and as of March 2021 until April 2022. As it has been observed in the desktop and empirical research, with the subsequent production of deliverables D4.1 and D4.3, governmental responses are tailored and encompass social, economic, legal and cultural factors that influence governmental measures against COVID-19, including adaptations to accommodate the needs of vulnerable groups and official public stakeholder representation. The governmental structure in most of the projects target countries, can be characterised as national-decision making structure with the provision of administrative powers to main governmental entities such as Ministries rather than regional points of governmental authorities, while governments that emphasized on a fragmented, semi-independent structure encountered challenges and friction between regional, local and national points of authority in matters such as adequate communication and funding. In addition, regarding cultural, legal, social and economic factors, social interaction rate and family ties, measure implementation and legality as well as emphasis on economic support in hard-stricken businesses are common phenomena. Moreover, the majority of COVINFORM target countries have addressed vulnerability with encompassing interpretations whereas in several cases a looser terminology, that of “groups at risk” was preferred, nevertheless, most COVINFORM target countries identified elderly citizens, particularly with chronic illnesses and children as the most vulnerable populations, whilst single-parent citizens, minorities, businesses and employees faced with abrupt stoppage of their activities closely followed. Concluding, in regard to official communication efforts, most COVINFORM target countries preferred centralized communication strategies with the utilization of live press briefings lead under the guidance of state officials and renown epidemiologists as well as traditional and contemporary means. Most experts are observed to concur that the public is more inclined to comply if a healthcare expert in an information dissemination-related leadership role or a well-respected official. However, experts suggest that successful pandemic management depends on the publics compliance with public health measures and highlight that certain measures induce fatigue (e.g., restriction of movement) have a set period of effect and may result in opposing results such as social unrest. Deliverable 4.4 concludes with several recommendations based on the analysis of the available data