Social rights: Coronavirus pandemic continues to hamper access to education and healthcare

The rights to education, healthcare and fair working conditions are among the rights most affected by the Coronavirus pandemic. The Fundamental Rights Agency’s (FRA) latest bulletin reveals the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on people’s social rights and the groups most at risk.

"News of successful COVID-19 vaccine trials bring hope, but the pandemic is far from over. It continues to disproportionately affect vulnerable groups. This includes people with disabilities, older people or migrants and refugees. EU countries did learn from the first wave and try to minimise the impact of the new restrictions on people’s rights. But it is crucial that they look out for vulnerable members of our societies and give them a voice when looking for solutions,” says FRA's Director Michael O'Flaherty.

FRA’s latest ‘Coronavirus pandemic in the EU – fundamental rights implications: with a focus on social rights’ bulletin brings into sharp relief the importance of social rights. They offer protection across many of the areas that most shape our daily lives.

The bulletin highlights the impact across four areas:

The bulletin highlights how the measures to contain the spread of the virus continue to affect people’s social rights. It draws attention to the impact on particular groups, such as people living in institutions, older people, people with disabilities, Roma and Travellers, as well as migrants, asylum seekers and refugees.