European Union

Germany's federal government cannot make unilateral decisions to close schools or shut down public transport. Only local authorities can. What this has meant is that the German "lockdown" to contain the spread of coronavirus has proceeded in fits and starts.

European Commission executive vice-president Frans Timmermans is in self-imposed quarantine until 20 March. Timmermans had held a meeting on 6 March with the French secretary of state for ecological transition, Brune Poirson, who tested positive with Covid 19. "Executive vice-president Timmermans is in a good state of health, he does not have any symptoms," said a European Commission spokesperson.

The European Commission tabled its much-awaited Climate Law in March this year, in a bid to carve into stone Europe’s objective of becoming the first climate-neutral continent in the world by 2050. EURACTIV explains what the Climate Law does, how it works and what its criticisms are.

Carmen and Ana Ibáñez fled Madrid last week to escape the threat of coronavirus in Spain's hardest-hit region. But for the two elderly sisters, it was not the end of the nightmare as the pandemic quickly spread to the rest of the country, forcing authorities to confine people to their homes.

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) decided on Friday (13 March) to restrict how airlines, already struggling with the impact of coronavirus, can offset their emissions under a new climate change-busting mechanism.

Hungary will shut down its borders due to the spread of coronavirus, prime minister Viktor Orban announced to MPs on Monday. The government will also ban events as of midnight, close cinemas and clubs. Cafes, restaurants and shops will also have to close after 3pm. Grocery stores and pharmacies remain open. "A very serious wave of unemployment is threatening Hungary," Orban added.

Across Europe, borders are being sealed off, schools are being closed and events are being banned. Italy, Spain and other countries have even imposed curfews. Britain, on the other hand, has held back with drastic measures. The plan there is to allow the population to become infected in a bid to achieve herd immunity. A deadly strategy?

The confused information situation in the coronavirus pandemic is also encouraging the spread of false reports and rumours. Does the media share responsibility for panic buying and other irrational reactions to the virus?

With stringent hygiene regulations in place, the first round of the French local elections went ahead on Sunday - despite heavy criticism and the state of emergency. Voter turnout was down by almost 20 percentage points to around 45 percent. Other states also face the decision of whether to hold elections during the coronavirus pandemic. Commentators are at odds over the issue.