Western Balkans Regular Economic Report, No. 17, Spring 2020 : The Economic and Social Impact of COVID-19
In Spring 2020, Western Balkan countries - like most others in the world—have been forced to impose tight restrictions on economic life to contain the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic. In the first half of 2020, the world has seen explosive growth o...
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| Format: | Report |
| Language: | English |
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World Bank, Washington, DC
2020
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| Online Access: | http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/301261588088338100/The-Economic-and-Social-Impact-of-COVID-19-Setting-the-stage http://hdl.handle.net/10986/33670 |
| Summary: | In Spring 2020, Western Balkan countries
- like most others in the world—have been forced to impose
tight restrictions on economic life to contain the COVID-19
(Coronavirus) pandemic. In the first half of 2020, the world
has seen explosive growth of infections with the deadly
novel virus. As country after country has been forced to
shut down large areas of social and economic life to slow
contagion, the Western Balkans have not been spared. The
first cases were recognized as early as the first week of
March. As of April 27, 2020, the Johns Hopkins corona virus
data center now reports that over 11,000 cases have been
confirmed in the six countries in the region. In response,
all six have enforced lockdowns and strict social distancing
measures. International airports in all countries were
closed for passenger traffic. The initial lockdowns have
been extended. The capitals of Kosovo and Albania are under
quarantine, as are other cities in the region. Key economic
sectors, such as restaurants and nonessential retail, have
been shut down. Travel and social gatherings have been
restricted or banned, and schools and universities have been closed. The RER No. 17 is a collection of notes on the Economic and Social Impact of COVID-19. |
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