ABSTRACT
The measures adopted by states in response to the COVID-19 pandemic were not, of course, limited to the restrictions on public gatherings which were discussed in Chapter 3. Rather, they impacted upon the lives of individuals in a wide range of other ways which also engaged various provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights and in relation to which issues have been raised before the European Court of Human Rights. For example, lockdown measures meant that people could leave their homes only for a very limited range of reasons. Another common feature of the measures adopted by states involved schools being required to teach pupils through online methods as opposed to in-person classes. As lockdown measures eased, many states imposed a ‘health pass’ system as an interim stage between lockdown and full easing of restrictions. Requirements to wear face coverings when in indoor public settings such as shops were also a common response. Some states required those employed in certain sectors to be vaccinated against COVID-19, and many shops and other businesses were required to close for certain periods of time. In addition, measures adopted to prevent the spread of the virus raised particular human rights issues for certain groups, such as prisoners and asylum seekers, and, in some instances, had an impact upon criminal proceedings. Chapter 4 explores questions which have been raised before the European Court of Human Rights in respect of these issues.
