Response timeline

Timeline showing how the crisis has been handled in different countries alongside crime trends.

  • 07 May 2020
    United Kingdom

    The Bank of England states the UK economy is headed to the greatest recession on record. 

  • 04 May 2020
    Global

    Global COVID-19 death toll passes 250,000.

  • 03 May 2020
    Brazil

    Brazil surpasses 100,000 COVID-19 cases.

  • 01 May 2020
    United Kingdom

    The UK aims to begin providing 100,000 COVID-19 tests a day. 

  • 30 Apr 2020
    United Kingdom

    Prime Minister Boris Johnson claims the country is 'past the peak' of COVID-19. 

  • 30 Apr 2020
    Brazil

    The number of confirmed deaths related to COVID-19 passes 5,000.

  • 29 Apr 2020
    Global

    The International Labour Organisation reports that nearly half of the global workforce risk losing their livelihoods due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • 27 Apr 2020
    El Salvador
    Crime trend

    President Nayib Bukele states criminal gangs are taking advantage of the pandemic, with over 50 people murdered between the 24th and 26th of April. 

     

  • 27 Apr 2020
    United Kingdom

    Prime Minister Boris Johnson returns to work, after recovering from COVID-19.

     

  • 25 Apr 2020
    Global

    Global COVID-19 deaths reach 200,000.

  • 24 Apr 2020
    United Kingdom

    The UK plans to host a ‘global vaccines summit’ on the 4th of June, to encourage cooperation between nations to support the development of a global COVID-19 vaccine.

  • 22 Apr 2020
    Italy

    The first drop in active cases is recorded, with a decrease of 127 patients in hospitals. 

  • 22 Apr 2020
    United Kingdom

    First human COVID-19 vaccine trials start.

  • 21 Apr 2020
    Global

    The United Nations warns of the risk of widespread famines caused by the pandemic.

  • 20 Apr 2020
    Brazil

    President Jair Bolsonaro joins anti-lockdown protests.

  • 19 Apr 2020
    United Kingdom

    British war veteran Captain Tom Moore raises over 31 million euros for walking 100 laps of his garden. 

  • 17 Apr 2020
    Tunisia
    Crime trend

    Two men are detained over a suspected plot to infect members of law enforcement with COVID-19.

  • 16 Apr 2020
    Sweden

    Unemployment figures are estimated to rise to 13.5% in 2020 if the COVID19 crisis continues

  • 15 Apr 2020
    Global

    The global confirmed COVID-19 infections surpass 2 million.

  • 15 Apr 2020
    Denmark

    Denmark is the first country in Europe to relax education restrictions, allowing children up to the age of 11 to return to education and nurseries.

  • 15 Apr 2020
    Sweden

    A 11,445 surge of confirmed cases of COVID19 to 11,927.

  • 14 Apr 2020
    United Kingdom

    UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is discharged from hospital in London after recovering from COVID-19.

  • 12 Apr 2020
    Sweden
    Crime trend

    Over 100 COVID-19 related incidents were reported to police. This includes cases of citizens claiming to be infected and coughing or spitting at the police, largely related to those attempting to evade an arrest or being in contact with the police.

  • 10 Apr 2020
    Europe

    The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen calls for a new Marshall Plan to aid the European economies most impacted by COVID-19.

  • 09 Apr 2020
    United Kingdom

    The highest daily death toll in 24 hours in recorded at 938 deaths. 

  • 06 Apr 2020
    Sweden

    An infant has tested positive for COVID19 and is in intensive care at Uppsala University Hospital.

  • 06 Apr 2020
    United Kingdom

    Prime Minister admitted to Intensive Care Unit.

  • 05 Apr 2020
    United Kingdom

    Prime Minister admitted to hospital. Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer Catherine Calderwood resigns after visiting her second home despite urging stay at home measures.

  • 04 Apr 2020
    Sweden

    The government is criticised for not taking more suppressive measures to prevent the spread of COVID19.

  • 03 Apr 2020
    Sweden

    Public transport capacity returns to normal to stop overcrowding particularly during rush hour.

  • 02 Apr 2020
    Global

    Number of worldwide confirmed cases passes one million

  • 01 Apr 2020
    Italy

    Lockdown extended to April 13th

  • 01 Apr 2020
    Sweden

    A new field hospital in Stockholm conference centre is opened. The government releases a new set of binding recommendations for organisations to protect vulnerable groups. This includes: shopping centres reducing the number of customers inside shops, ensuring staff and visitors keep their distance and reducing the number of passengers on public transport.

  • 30 Mar 2020
    Sweden

    The youngest person to die from COVID19 is reported at 30 years old in Jönköping.

  • 27 Mar 2020
    United Kingdom

    Prime Minister and Health Secretary Matt Hancock test positive

  • 27 Mar 2020
    Sweden

    The Public Health Agency advised members of the public to stay away from popular holiday areas. To support this statement in Gotland as a popular tourist area, healthcare workers posted a Facebook video outside a field hospital with the message "We go to work for you. Please stay at home for us. Even if home is on the mainland". Gatherings of more than 50 people are banned, including fines or imprisonment for up to six months.

  • 26 Mar 2020
    United Kingdom

    Thursday 8pm clap to thank NHS staff

  • 25 Mar 2020
    Sweden
    Crime trend

    The number of reported home break-ins has decreased by more than half. There has been an increase in reports of fraud, particularly targeted at the elderly self-isolating at home. For example cases have arisen of offenders offering to do a vulnerable persons food shopping for them, but taking their money instead.

  • 25 Mar 2020
    Brazil

    Jair Bolsonaro opposes coronavirus measures being implemented in Brazil. Local officials take responsibility for implementing the measures.

  • 24 Mar 2020
    Sweden

    Advice on social distancing was extended from vulnerable groups to the wider population by the Social Affairs Minister Lena Hallengren. Hospitality sectors are allowed to continue table service, with sufficient distance between tables.

  • 23 Mar 2020
    Sweden

    Over 18,000 workers are given notice, showing a large spike in comparison to 3,300 in February.

  • 23 Mar 2020
    United Kingdom

    Introduction of police fines for failure to comply with stay at home measures.

  • 20 Mar 2020
    Sweden

    Public broadcasters such as SVT began broadcasting programmes for children staying at home. The initiative is called ‘Hemmahänget’ (The at-home gang). There is also a news programme aimed at informing children about COVID19 and answering questions sent in by children.

  • 20 Mar 2020
    United Kingdom

    All pubs, restaurants, gyms and social venues close. The chancellor announces 80% wage support for workers that have been unable to work.

  • 18 Mar 2020
    Sweden

    Public anxieties around COVID19 have seen an increase in a ‘panic buying’ trend of essentials such as toilet roll.

  • 18 Mar 2020
    United Kingdom

    UK Government announces closure of schools across England, Wales and Scotland

  • 17 Mar 2020
    Sweden

    Senior high schools and higher education (universities etc.) are advised to close, with the introduction of distance learning. Schools for younger children are not closing at this stage.

  • 16 Mar 2020
    Brazil

    President Jair Bolsonaro encourages mass demonstrations by his supporters against opponents in congress.

  • 16 Mar 2020
    United Kingdom

    UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson begins daily press briefings, urging UK citizen to work from home, avoid pubs/restaurants and support the NHS.

  • 14 Mar 2020
    Sweden

    Copenhagen Airport is no longer used for external flights, only for those returning to Sweden. Private initiatives are set up by Swedish businesses to support vulnerable individuals, such as #DinGranneHär (#YourNeighbourHere). This offers assistance to those self-isolating with their food shop.

  • 13 Mar 2020
    Sweden

    Hospitals introduce bans on external visitors. The scholastic aptitude test ‘högskoleprovet’ is cancelled for students entering higher education.

  • 12 Mar 2020
    Sweden

    The first confirmed case in Gotland means all regions of Sweden now have cases of COVID19.

  • 11 Mar 2020
    Sweden
    First confirmed deaths

    An elderly patient with underlying health conditions dies in southern Stockholm. The government temporarily implements first day sick leave, meaning those off work sick will receive sick day from the first day of absence. All events involving over 500 people are cancelled.

  • 10 Mar 2020
    Sweden

    The Public Health Agency upgrades the risk status of Sweden from ‘moderate’ to ‘very high’. This was decided following the increased signs of community spread infection. The Public Health Agency advises the public to avoid non-essential visits to hospitals and care homes. They also advise vulnerable groups to stay at home if any symptoms develop. The first two cases of COVID19 patients needing intensive care are reported.

  • 09 Mar 2020
    Italy

    The lockdown measures are extended nationally.
    Italian citizens sing (Andra tutto bene) ‘everything will be alright’ and play music from their balconies.

  • 09 Mar 2020
    Sweden

    The first potential community infection of COVID19 is detected in Stockholm at hospital.

  • 04 Mar 2020
    United Kingdom

    Largest surge of Covid19 confirmed cases in a single day - 34 cases.

  • 04 Mar 2020
    Italy

    Schools and universities close.

  • 02 Mar 2020
    Sweden

    The Public Health Agency upgrades the risk status of Sweden from ‘low’ to ‘moderate.’ The Foreign Ministry advises against all travel to Iran, being the first country in the world to suspend Iran’s Air permit to Sweden.

  • 28 Feb 2020
    United Kingdom
    First confirmed deaths

    First British victim dies onboard the Diamond Princess

  • 28 Feb 2020
    Italy

    Confirmed cases rise to 800 people.

  • 25 Feb 2020
    Sweden

    The Public Health Agency upgrades the risk status of Sweden from ‘very low’ to ‘low’.

  • 23 Feb 2020
    Italy

    Italy has a major increase in cases to 150 confirmed cases. Following this Italy introduced strict lockdown measures (for around 50,000 people), including closing schools and cultural events.

  • 20 Feb 2020
    Italy

    A citizen in Lombardy tests positive after previously leaving the hospital without a test. This is believed to has spread the disease widely.

  • 11 Feb 2020
    Global

    Virus named ‘Covid19’ (Coronavirus Disease 2019)

  • 31 Jan 2020
    Italy
    First confirmed cases

    National emergency declared after two confirmed cases in Rome.

  • 31 Jan 2020
    Sweden
    First confirmed cases

    First case confirmed in Jönköping from a patient that had returned from China.

  • 30 Jan 2020
    Global

    WHO declares global health emergency

  • 29 Jan 2020
    United Kingdom
    First confirmed cases

    Two patients tested positive for Coronavirus in York