COVID-19 crisis and the informal economy Immediate responses and policy challenges

At the end of April 2020, the number of COVID-19 infections had exceeded 2.8 million cases worldwide, with the death toll nearing 195,000, and 210 countries and territories affected.

As a result, a growing number of nationwide or local initiatives have been taken to prevent the spread of the deadly virus. Pending the discovery of vaccines and treatments, physical distancing remains the only way to break the chain of transmission and protect large segments of the population. Full or partial lockdown measures are therefore now being implemented all around the world, affecting more than 5 billion people. It is estimated that these measures bear a significant impact on 1.6 billion informal workers, with women over-represented in the most hard-hit sectors.