This article documents the chronology of the response to the
COVID-19 pandemic in March 2021, which originated in
Wuhan, 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 in Africa
Reactions and measures in the Americas
Reactions and measures in the Eastern Mediterranean
Reactions and measures in Europe
Reactions and measures in South and Southeast Asia
1 March
In Malaysia, preschoolers, Year One, and Year Two primary pupils resume face-to-face classes as part of a phased reopening of schools.[1]
The Malaysian Special Committee on Ensuring Access to Covid-19 Vaccine Supply (JKJAV) confirmed that 80,336 Malaysians had received their first COVID-19 vaccine dose.[3]
11 March
The Malaysian Government announced the Emergency (Essential Powers) (No.2) Ordinance 2021, which states that those who spread "
fake news" "by any means, with intent to cause, or which is likely to cause fear or alarm to the public" could face a fine of RM100,000 or three years imprisonment or both.[4]
24 March
The Singaporean and Malaysian Foreign Ministers
Vivian Balakrishnan and
Hishamuddin Hussein have confirmed that the two governments will be working together to recognise each other's COVID-19 vaccine certificates with the goal of restoring cross-border travel in the future.[5]
In New Zealand, 28 port workers at
Tauranga received their first dose of the
Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, becoming the second group of essential workers to be vaccinated.[7]
5 March
New Zealand Prime MinisterJacinda Ardern has announced that Auckland will move to Alert Level 2 lockdown from Alert Level 3 at 6 am on 7 March. Meanwhile, the rest of New Zealand will move to Alert Level 1 at 6am on 7 March.[8][9]