Responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in September 2020
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This article documents the chronology of the response to the
COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identif ...
in September 2020, which originated in
Wuhan Wuhan (, ; ; ) is the capital of Hubei, Hubei Province in the China, People's Republic of China. It is the largest city in Hubei and the most populous city in Central China, with a population of over eleven million, the List of cities in China ...
, China in December 2019. Some developments may become known or fully understood only in retrospect. Reporting on this pandemic began in December 2019.


Reactions and measures at the United Nations


1 September

The UN released a new report by
UN Women The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, also known as UN Women, is a United Nations entity working for gender equality and the empowerment of women. UN Women advocates for the rights of women and girls, and focu ...
, ''From Insights to Action: Gender Equality in the wake of COVID-19'', stating that the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic consequences will likely force an additional 47 million more women into poverty, reversing decades of progress to eliminate extreme poverty.


2 September

The
UN Secretary-General The secretary-general of the United Nations (UNSG or SG) is the chief administrative officer of the United Nations and head of the United Nations Secretariat, one of the six principal organs of the United Nations. The role of the secretary-ge ...
, at one of a series of the Aqaba Process international meetings of heads of state to improve global cooperation in fighting terrorism and violent extremism, warned the world had “entered a volatile and unstable new phase” in terms of the impact of COVID-19 on peace and security.


3 September

UNICEF UNICEF (), originally called the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund in full, now officially United Nations Children's Fund, is an agency of the United Nations responsible for providing Humanitarianism, humanitarian and Devel ...
in a new report warned that the world's richest nations must protect child well-being in terms of COVID-19 fallout, with children suffering from mental health concerns, obesity and poor social and academic skills. The
UN Secretary-General The secretary-general of the United Nations (UNSG or SG) is the chief administrative officer of the United Nations and head of the United Nations Secretariat, one of the six principal organs of the United Nations. The role of the secretary-ge ...
called for concerted and meaningful action, especially from the G20, to make COVID recovery ‘a true turning point’ for people and planet, and outlined six climate-positive actions for a sustainable recovery.


4 September

UNICEF UNICEF (), originally called the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund in full, now officially United Nations Children's Fund, is an agency of the United Nations responsible for providing Humanitarianism, humanitarian and Devel ...
announced that it will be leading global procurement and fair and equitable supply of COVID-19 vaccinations when they are available. The
WHO Who or WHO may refer to: * Who (pronoun), an interrogative or relative pronoun * Who?, one of the Five Ws in journalism * World Health Organization Arts and entertainment Fictional characters * Who, a creature in the Dr. Seuss book '' Horton He ...
announced that the COVID-19 pandemic had caused massive global disruption in diagnosing and treating people with deadly but preventable diseases, including over half of cancer patients. The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees announced that it needs approximately $95 million to cover the emergency needs of 5.6 million registered Palestinian refugees until the end of the year. during a COVID-19 lock-down.


7 September

The
WHO Who or WHO may refer to: * Who (pronoun), an interrogative or relative pronoun * Who?, one of the Five Ws in journalism * World Health Organization Arts and entertainment Fictional characters * Who, a creature in the Dr. Seuss book '' Horton He ...
Director-General announced that the Review Committee of the International Health Regulations, designed to prepare for the next pandemic, is commencing its work, as he urged more investment in public health.


8 September

The UN Deputy Secretary-General urged Finance Ministers globally to solidify a menu of options to help recovery in the face of 70-100 million people potentially experiencing
extreme poverty Extreme poverty, deep poverty, abject poverty, absolute poverty, destitution, or penury, is the most severe type of poverty, defined by the United Nations (UN) as "a condition characterized by severe deprivation of basic human needs, includi ...
, an extra 265 million people potentially encountering acute food shortages, and approximately 400 million lost jobs, together with 1.6 billion educations affected.


9 September

The
UN Secretary General The secretary-general of the United Nations (UNSG or SG) is the chief administrative officer of the United Nations and head of the United Nations Secretariat, one of the United Nations System#Six principal organs, six principal organs of the Un ...
, launching a new report ''United in Science 2020,'' stated that greenhouse gases levels were at record levels, while emissions that had temporarily declined because of the coronavirus pandemic were returning to pre-COVID levels, as global temperatures hit new highs.


10 September

The
UN Secretary-General The secretary-general of the United Nations (UNSG or SG) is the chief administrative officer of the United Nations and head of the United Nations Secretariat, one of the six principal organs of the United Nations. The role of the secretary-ge ...
warned an Ambassadors meeting for a virtual High-Level Forum on the
Culture of Peace The Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on September 13, 1999. This occurred after ten months of negotiations in the context of preparations for the International Year for the ...
that due to the pandemic “Not since the United Nations was founded have we faced such a complex and multidimensional threat to global peace and security”. The UN and European Union co-hosted the Inaugural Meeting of the Facilitation Council of the G20 ACT-Accelerator to produce two billion vaccine doses, which so far has received $2.7 billion of the $35 billion necessary to shorten the pandemic and speed economic global recovery.


16 September

The UN released the September update of the ''UN Comprehensive Response to COVID-19'' report, reiterating its three-point response of saving lives, protecting societies and recovering better.


17 September

On World Patient Safety Day, the WHO reminded the world of the vital role of health workers, emphasizing the need to ensure their protection, safety, and mental health, especially given the heightened risks of the pandemic.


18 September

The WHO
Director-General A director general or director-general (plural: ''directors general'', ''directors-general'', ''director generals'' or ''director-generals'' ) or general director is a senior executive officer, often the chief executive officer, within a government ...
presented the second report of the WHO and World Bank-backed Global Preparedness Monitoring Board, ''A World in Disorder'', which recommends developing “muscle memory”, i.e., repetition, as a “key to pandemic response”.


21 September

The WHO
Director-General A director general or director-general (plural: ''directors general'', ''directors-general'', ''director generals'' or ''director-generals'' ) or general director is a senior executive officer, often the chief executive officer, within a government ...
unveiled the coronavirus Vaccines Global Access Facility (
COVAX COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access, abbreviated as COVAX, is a worldwide initiative aimed at equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines directed by the GAVI vaccine alliance, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), and the World Hea ...
), part of the ACT Accelerator, to deliver two billion doses of coronavirus vaccine globally by the end of 2021.


23 September

The UN and its partners, including the
International Federation of the Red Cross The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is a humanitarian movement with approximately 97 million volunteers, members and staff worldwide. It was founded to protect human life and health, to ensure respect for all human beings, and ...
, urged countries to take urgent action to address an “
infodemic An infodemic is a rapid and far-reaching spread of both accurate and inaccurate information about something, such as a disease. The word is a portmanteau of "information" and "epidemic." As facts, rumors, and fears mix and disperse, it become ...
” of coronavirus misinformation, both online and in the real world. The
International Labour Organization The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a United Nations agency whose mandate is to advance social and economic justice by setting international labour standards. Founded in October 1919 under the League of Nations, it is the first and o ...
reported on the occasion of the sixth edition of its 'COVID Monitor' that COVID-19 has had a “catastrophic” impact on workers, equivalent to 495 million full-time jobs lost globally in the second quarter of the year, with lower and middle-income countries suffering most.


25 September

In the face of a potential global shortage of influenza vaccines and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the WHO has recommended countries prioritize the elderly and health workers. A new report from Every Woman Every Child highlights progress in protecting women and children but reported "disruptions in essential health interventions disproportionately impacting the most vulnerable women and children" due to COVID-19.


26 September

UN Women The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, also known as UN Women, is a United Nations entity working for gender equality and the empowerment of women. UN Women advocates for the rights of women and girls, and focu ...
announced that new data co-released by the UN Development Programme from the COVID-19 Global Gender Response Tracker revealed that the majority of countries were not sufficiently protecting women and girls from the COVID-19 related economic and social fallout.


29 September

UN Secretary-General
António Guterres António Manuel de Oliveira Guterres ( , ; born 30 April 1949) is a Portuguese politician and diplomat. Since 2017, he has served as secretary-general of the United Nations, the ninth person to hold this title. A member of the Portuguese Socia ...
called the millionth death from COVID-19 an “agonizing milestone”, affirmed the importance of every individual life, and called for solidarity in the global recovery. He also welcomed the G20's Debt Service Suspension Initiative and called for greater effort to prevent a global recession and urged greater efforts against the ‘global scourge’ of gender-based violence, which had been intensified by the pandemic.


30 September

The UN Secretary-General called on Member States to fund COVID-19 global vaccine efforts, reporting that $3 billion of $35 billion had been secured for the Access to COVID-19 Tools.


Reactions and measures in Africa


Reactions and measures in the Americas


23 September

As of the 23 September, government agencies across the region report that numbers of confirmed cases have started to decline. *The City Of Toronto all event permits and festivals until December 31st https://www.toronto.ca/news/city-of-toronto-extends-cancellation-of-outdoor-major-events-and-provides-565000-to-support-cultural-festivals-impacted-by-covid-19/


Reactions and measures in the Eastern Mediterranean


Reactions and measures in Europe


26 September

UK governments imposed a quasi-lockdown, with more than a quarter of the UK population falling under stricter coronavirus lockdown rules.


Reactions and measures in South and Southeast Asia


1 September

Senior Minister
Ismail Sabri Yaakob Dato' Sri Ismail Sabri bin Yaakob ( ms, اسماعيل صبري بن يعقوب, label= Jawi, script=arab, italic=unset; born 18 January 1960) is a Malaysian lawyer and politician who served as the 9th Prime Minister of Malaysia from August 2 ...
has announced that long-term pass holders from India, Indonesia and the Philippines will be unable to enter Malaysia due to a spike of cases in those countries effective 7 September.


7 September

On 7 September, the Malaysian Immigration Department banned nationals from 23 countries with a high number of COVID-19 cases including the United States, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Russia, France, Italy, Turkey and Germany, and previously announced India, the Philippines and Indonesia.


10 September

In Indonesia,
Jakarta Jakarta (; , bew, Jakarte), officially the Special Capital Region of Jakarta ( id, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta) is the capital and largest city of Indonesia. Lying on the northwest coast of Java, the world's most populous island, Jakarta ...
city authorities have placed the capital in a partial lockdown in order to alleviate pressure on the city's healthcare system. Malaysian Senior Minister
Ismail Sabri Yaakob Dato' Sri Ismail Sabri bin Yaakob ( ms, اسماعيل صبري بن يعقوب, label= Jawi, script=arab, italic=unset; born 18 January 1960) is a Malaysian lawyer and politician who served as the 9th Prime Minister of Malaysia from August 2 ...
announced that enhanced Movement Control Orders would be imposed on the
Kota Setar The Kota Setar District is a district in Kedah, Malaysia where the state capital Alor Star is situated.http://apps.water.gov.my/jpskomuniti/dokumen/DEEP_KOTA%20SETAR_APRIL2011.pdf Name The name ''Kota Setar'' came from the setar or ‘Stak’ ...
district in
Kedah Kedah (), also known by its honorific Darul Aman (Islam), Aman and historically as Queda, is a States and federal territories of Malaysia, state of Malaysia, located in the northwestern part of Peninsular Malaysia. The state covers a total area ...
state and
Tawau Tawau (, Jawi: , ), formerly known as Tawao, is the capital of the Tawau District in Sabah, Malaysia. It is the third-largest city in Sabah, after Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan. It is located on the Semporna Peninsula in the southeast coast of t ...
prison in
Sabah Sabah () is a States and federal territories of Malaysia, state of Malaysia located in northern Borneo, in the region of East Malaysia. Sabah borders the Malaysian state of Sarawak to the southwest and the North Kalimantan province of Indone ...
state following new outbreaks.


28 September

Malaysian Senior Minister
Ismail Sabri Yaakob Dato' Sri Ismail Sabri bin Yaakob ( ms, اسماعيل صبري بن يعقوب, label= Jawi, script=arab, italic=unset; born 18 January 1960) is a Malaysian lawyer and politician who served as the 9th Prime Minister of Malaysia from August 2 ...
announced that an enhanced MCO would be enforced in the
Sabah Sabah () is a States and federal territories of Malaysia, state of Malaysia located in northern Borneo, in the region of East Malaysia. Sabah borders the Malaysian state of Sarawak to the southwest and the North Kalimantan province of Indone ...
districts of
Lahad Datu Lahad Datu ( ms, Bandar Lahad Datu) is the capital of the Lahad Datu District in the Dent Peninsula on Tawau Division of Sabah, Malaysia. Its population was estimated to be around 27,887 in 2010. The town is surrounded by stretches of cocoa and ...
, Tawau,
Kunak Kunak ( ms, Pekan Kunak) is the capital of the Kunak District in the Tawau Division of Sabah, Malaysia. Its population was estimated to be around 13,823 in 2010. The population consists mainly of Bajau and Bugis peoples. There is also a sizeable ...
, and
Semporna Semporna ( ms, Pekan Semporna) is the capital of the Semporna District in the Tawau Division of Sabah, Malaysia. Its population was estimated to be around 35,301 in 2010. History Semporna was founded soon after the British North Borneo Ch ...
between 29 September and October 12. Under this lockdown, travel and business activities within those districts will be limited.


Reactions and measures in the Western Pacific


3 September

Australian
Health Minister A health minister is the member of a country's government typically responsible for protecting and promoting public health and providing welfare and other social security services. Some governments have separate ministers for mental health. Count ...
Greg Hunt Gregory Andrew Hunt (born 18 November 1965) is a former Australian politician who was the Minister for Health between January 2017 and May 2022. He was a Liberal Party member of the House of Representatives between November 2001 and 2022, repre ...
has extended a ban on overseas travel and cruise ships entering Australia until 17 December 2020.


4 September

New Zealand
Prime Minister A prime minister, premier or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. Under those systems, a prime minister is not ...
Jacinda Ardern Jacinda Kate Laurell Ardern ( ; born 26 July 1980) is a New Zealand politician who has been serving as the 40th prime minister of New Zealand and leader of the Labour Party since 2017. A member of the Labour Party, she has been the member of ...
announced that New Zealand would remain on Alert Level 2 while Auckland would remain on Alert Level 2.5 for at least ten more days. The
New Zealand Cabinet The Cabinet of New Zealand ( mi, Te Rūnanga o te Kāwanatanga o AotearoaTranslated as: "The Rūnanga (literally 'Council') of the Government of New Zealand") is the New Zealand Government's body of senior Ministers in the New Zealand Governmen ...
will review them again on 14 September. That same day, Immigration Minister
Kris Faafoi Kristopher John Faafoi (born 23 June 1976) is a former New Zealand Labour Party politician. He became the Member of Parliament for the Mana electorate in 2010. He did not contest the seat as an electorate MP in 2020 but continued as a list MP ...
extended the visas of visitors due to expire before the end of October by five months. In addition, temporary migrants unable to leave New Zealand due to international travel restrictions will be granted a new two-month COVID-19 short-term visa.


6 September

In Australia, Victorian
Premier Premier is a title for the head of government in central governments, state governments and local governments of some countries. A second in command to a premier is designated as a deputy premier. A premier will normally be a head of governm ...
Daniel Andrews Daniel Michael Andrews (born 6 July 1972) is an Australian politician serving as the 48th and current premier of Victoria since December 2014. He has been the leader of the Victorian branch of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) since December ...
has extended stage 4 COVID-19 lockdown restrictions on
Melbourne Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/Woiwurrung: ''Narrm'' or ''Naarm'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Its name generally refers to a met ...
until 28 September. The New Zealand Government has required all border workers to undergo testing for COVID-19 from midnight on 7 September.


9 September

The New Zealand Government has allowed certain non-citizens and non-residents to apply for border exceptions including those holding a job or operating a business in New Zealand; residency and work visa holders, and partners who are Australian citizens or from visa-waiver countries. In addition, those who have been unable to enter the country to activate their residency visa or unable to return before their residency visa expires will receive a reprieve.


14 September

New Zealand Prime Minister The prime minister of New Zealand ( mi, Te pirimia o Aotearoa) is the head of government of New Zealand. The prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, leader of the New Zealand Labour Party, took office on 26 October 2017. The prime minister (inform ...
Jacinda Ardern Jacinda Kate Laurell Ardern ( ; born 26 July 1980) is a New Zealand politician who has been serving as the 40th prime minister of New Zealand and leader of the Labour Party since 2017. A member of the Labour Party, she has been the member of ...
has extended the Alert Level 2.5 rating in Auckland and the Level 2 rating in the rest of the country by one week, with plans to ease lockdown restrictions the following week. In addition, the Government relaxed social distancing restrictions on public transportation including buses and planes.


21 September

New Zealand Prime Minister
Jacinda Ardern Jacinda Kate Laurell Ardern ( ; born 26 July 1980) is a New Zealand politician who has been serving as the 40th prime minister of New Zealand and leader of the Labour Party since 2017. A member of the Labour Party, she has been the member of ...
announced that Auckland would move into Alert Level 2 on 23 September at 11:59pm while the rest of the country would move into Alert Level 1 tonight at 11:59pm. Under Auckland's Alert Level 2 status, public gatherings of 100 people will be allowed but a 50-person cap remains on funerals and
tangihanga ''Tangihanga'', or more commonly, ''tangi'', is a traditional Māori funeral rite held on a marae. While still widely practised, it is not universally observed in modern times. Each iwi (tribe/nation) differs on how they honour those who pass. ''T ...
.


See also

*
Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic The timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic lists the articles containing the chronology and epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. The first human case ...


References

{{COVID-19 pandemic, timeline September 2020 events Timelines of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 Responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 COVID-19 pandemic