A Coordinated Response to Coronavirus

On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) characterized the coronavirus (COVID-19) viral disease a pandemic, but it is a pandemic that can be controlled. Coronavirus (COVID-19) is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus.  

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who heads the UN agency, said, in his statement, “Let me be clear: describing this as a pandemic does not mean that countries should give up.”  

The UN Secretary-General urged all countries to take a comprehensive approach tailored to their circumstances – with containment as the central pillar. COVID-19 is affecting millions of people, impacting countries’ health systems and having widespread social and economic effects. The UN entities working on development, the United Nations Sustainable Development Group, are supporting countries in their preparedness and response plans.

This page convenes sources of information and guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations (UN) regarding the current outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19). 

WHO is working closely with global experts, governments and partners to track the spread and to provide guidance to countries and individuals on measures to protect health and prevent the spread of this outbreak.

Covid-19 Response in Malawi

The UN is providing decisive and coordinated support to Government efforts, together with development partners and non-government organizations, to strengthen the ability of Malawian institutions to respond to the COVID-19 crisis and ensure that no one is left behind. Technical advice provided by WHO has been critical to the design of Malawi’s national COVID-19 health sector plan, including establishing laboratory testing capacity and training public health specialists.

Key moments on Covid-19 response in Malawi

• 20 Mar 2020 : Declaration of State of National Disaster
• 02 Apr 2020 :  First three Covid-19 cases are confirmed in Malawi
• 07 April 2020: First Covid-19 death was recorded in Malawi
• 08 Apr 2020 :  National Preparedness and Response Plan seeking $345 million
• 14 Apr 2020 :  21-Day Lockdown declared: Minister and President statements
• 17 Apr 2020 :  High Court grants 7-day court injunction against lockdown
• 29 Apr 2020 :  High Court sustains injunction against the lockdown
• 04 May 2020:  Humanitarian actors seek US$140.1 million in Emergency Appeal
• 01 Aug 2020:  Zikomo Presidential Award for health workers introduced
• 09 Aug 2020:  Govt stresses need to also treat other chronic illnesses
• 27 Aug 2020:  Schools to start re-opening in phases from 7 Sep 2020

Guidance on Covid-19 response in Malawi

• Malawi Public Health (Coronavirus and Covid-19) Prevention, Containment and Management Rules (2020) - August 2020
• National Covid-19 Preparedness and Response Plan
• Covid-19 Flash Appeal for Humanitarian Community in Malawi
• Guidelines for Schools in Malawi on Prevention and Management of Covid-19
• Covid-19 Workplace Guidelines for Malawi
• Malawi Guidance on Face Masks
• Guidance on Home-Based Management of Persons with Asymptomatic and Mild Covid-19

Covid-19 situation reports and updates for Malawi

• Malawi COVID-19 Situation Update No.40 as of 11th May 2021
• Malawi COVID-19 Situation Update No.39 as of 16th April 2021
• Malawi COVID-19 Situation Update No.38 as of 22nd March 2021
• Malawi COVID-19 Situation Update No.37 as of 10th March 2021
• Malawi COVID-19 Situation Update No.36 as of 29th January 2021
• Malawi COVID-19 Situation Update No.35 as of 18th January 2021
• Malawi COVID-19 Situation Update No.34 as of 31st December 2020
• Malawi COVID-19 Situation Update No.33 as of 23rd December 2020
• Malawi COVID-19 Situation Update No.32 as of 4th December 2020
• Malawi COVID-19 Situation Update No.29 as of 9th October 2020

• Malawi COVID-19 Situation Update No.28 as of 25th September 2020
• Malawi COVID-19 Situation Update No.27 as of 18th September 2020
• Malawi COVID-19 Situation Update No.26 as of 11th September 2020
• Malawi COVID-19 Situation Update No.25 as of 04th September 2020
• Malawi COVID-19 Situation Update No.24 as of 28th August 2020
• Malawi COVID-19 Situation Update No.23 as of 21st August 2020
• Malawi COVID-19 Situation Update No.22 as of 14th August 2020
• Malawi COVID-19 Situation Update No.21 as of 7th August 2020
• Malawi COVID-19 Situation Update No.20 as of 31st July 2020
• Malawi COVID-19 Situation Update No.19 as of 24th July 2020
• Malawi COVID-19 Situation Update No.18 as of 17th July 2020
• Malawi COVID-19 Situation Update No.17 as of 10th July 2020
• Malawi COVID-19 Situation Update No.16 as of 3rd July 2020
• Malawi COVID-19 Situation Update No.15 as of 26th June 2020
• Malawi COVID-19 Situation Update No.14 as of 19th June 2020
• Malawi COVID-19 Situation Update No.13 as of 12th June 2020
• Malawi COVID-19 Situation Update No.12 as of 05th June 2020
• Malawi COVID-19 Situation Update No.11 as of 29th May 2020
• Malawi COVID-19 Situation Update No.10 as of 22nd May 2020
• Malawi COVID-19 Situation Update No.09 as of 15th May 2020
• Malawi COVID-19 Situation Update No.08 as of 08th May 2020
• Malawi COVID-19 Situation Update No.07 as of 01st May 2020
• Malawi COVID-19 Situation Update No.06 as of 24th April 2020
• Malawi COVID-19 Situation Update No.05 as of 17th April 2020
• Malawi COVID-19 Situation Update No.04 as of 10th April 2020
• Malawi COVID-19 Situation Update No.03 as of 03rd April 2020
• Malawi COVID-19 Situation Update No.02 as of 27th March 2020

Daily Updates:

• COVID-19 Daily Situation Reports by Public Health Institute of Malawi

Covid-19 platforms in Malawi

• COVID-19 National Information Dashboard
• COVID-19 3W Interactive Dashboard-Malawi
• Malawi Emergency Appeal Financial Tracking
• COVID-19 Calendar of Meetings

General guidance on Covid-19

• COVID-19 Technical Guidance
• COVID-19 Advice for the Public
• Busting Myths on COVID-19 pandemic
• COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
• Advice on Use of Masks to Prevent COVID-19 infections

Covid-19 and leaving no one behind

• COVID-19 and Human Rights
• Impact of COVID-19 in Africa
• Impact of COVID-19 on Women
• Impact of COVID-19 on Children
• Impact of COVID-19 on Older Persons
• Disability-Inclusive Response to COVID-19
• COVID-19 and the Need for Action on Mental Health
• Responding to Socio-Economic Impacts of COVID-19
• UN Framework for Immediate Socio-Economic Response to COVID-19
• The Secretary-General's UN COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund

Covid-19 Research and Development

Global research on coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

To stay up to date with the latest information, please visit:

• World Health Organization
• Latest news on the United Nations’ response
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Situation