Impact of COVID-19 measures on democracy and fundamental rights - Best practices and lessons learned in the Member States and third countries

This research study examines the impact of COVID-19 measures on democracy and fundamental rights in the EU. It considers what best practices have been evidenced, and the lessons that can be learned from comparative experience within EU Member States as well as relevant third countries. It examines pandemic governance in the EU and its Member States during the COVID-19 pandemic between 2020 and 2022. It describes how the COVID-19 pandemic was addressed by EU Member States, either in terms of declaring a state of emergency or similar regimes, or using emergency powers or emergency health legislation, or normal legislation. This study was provided by the Policy Department for Economic, Scientific and Quality of Life Policies at the request of the special committee on the COVID-19 pandemic: lessons learned and recommendations for the future (COVI).