Title	COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION COVID-19: Guidance on the implementation of relevant EU provisions in the area of asylum and return procedures and on resettlement
Publisher	European Union: European Commission
Publication Date	16 April 2020
Topics	Asylum policy | Prison or detention conditions | Public health | Reception | Refugee status determination (RSD) / Asylum procedures | Resettlement | Return conditions
Cite as	European Union: European Commission, COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION COVID-19: Guidance on the implementation of relevant EU provisions in the area of asylum and return procedures and on resettlement, 16 April 2020, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5e99707d4.html [accessed 19 May 2023]
Comments	The Guidance illustrates how to ensure continuity of procedures as much as possible while fully ensuring the protection of people’s health and fundamental rights in line with the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. At the same time, it recalls the fundamental principles that must continue to apply, so that access to the asylum procedure continues to the greatest extent possible during the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, all applications for international protection must be registered and processed, even if with certain delays. Emergency and essential treatment of illness, including for COVID-19, must be ensured.
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