During an online survey, *** percent of surveyed small businesses in the United States said they had temporarily closed a location due to the COVID-19 pandemic during the week ending April 17, 2022. Another *** percent of respondents said that they had opened a previously closed location during the same week.

According to a study conducted at the end of 2020, around ** percent of business owners in Nigeria knew of other similar businesses that permanently closed due to the pandemic. This share was slightly higher among informal than formal enterprises.

Almost one quarter of all businesses have temporarily closed or paused trading due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the United Kingdom as of April 2020. The sector with the highest share of business closures were those in the arts, entertainment, and recreation sector, with over ** percent of them currently closed, compared with just *** percent of human health, and social work businesses.

According to a survey conducted in South Korea in July 2021, about **** percent of small business owners stated that they are considering closing their business either temporarily or permanently due to COVID-19 regulations. About ** percent even indicated that they were seriously considering doing so.

Likelihood of businesses permanently adopting various measures once the COVID-19 pandemic is over, by North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), business employment size, type of business, business activity and majority ownership.

Abstract

As part of the efforts of the World Bank Group to understand the impact of COVID-19 on the private sector, the Enterprise Analysis unit is conducting follow-up surveys on recently completed Enterprise Surveys (ES) in several countries. These short surveys follow the baseline ES and are designed to provide quick information on the impact and adjustments that COVID-19 has brought about in the private sector.

The Zimbabwe Informal Businesses COVID-19 Impact Survey is different from the standard follow-up survey conducted by the unit in other countries, the major difference veing that this is not a follow-up survey.

Geographic coverage

National

Analysis unit

Enterprise

Universe

The universe of inference is all registered establishments with five or more employees that are engaged in one of the following activities defined using ISIC Rev. 3.1: manufacturing (groupd D), construction (group F), services sector (groups G and H), transport, storage, and communcations sector (group I) and information technology (division 72 of group K)

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

The sample for the survey was selected using stratified random sampling, broadly following similar methodology explained in the ES Sampling Note. However, unlike ES that uses three levels of stratification (size, location, and sector), this survey uses two levels of stratification, namely location/region of the informal busines and the gender of the main business owner.

Stratifies random sampling was preferred over simple random sampling for several reasons: a. To obtain unbiased estimates for different subdivisions of the population with some known level of precision b. To obtain unbiased estimates for the whole population. The whole population, or universe of the study, is informal sector businesses operating in Zimbabwe. Informality is defined as any business that doesn't have registration from Zimbabwe Registrar of Companies. c. To make sure that the final total sample includes establishments from different regions and from businesses owned by male and femal. d. To exploit the benefits of stratifies sampling where population estimates, in most cases, will be more precise than using a simple random sampling method (i.e. lower standard errors, other things being equal.) e. Stratification may produce a smaller bound on the error of estimation than would be produced by a simple random sample of the same size. This result is particularly true if measurements within strata are homogeneous. f. The cost per observation in the survey may be reduced by stratification of the population elements into convenient groupings.

Total sample target: 1020

Mode of data collection

Computer Assisted Telephone Interview [cati]

Research instrument

The questionnaire contains the following modules: - Control information and introduction - General information - Sales and operations - Production - Labor force - Finance - Policies and prospects - Registration - Information on permanently closed establishments - Interview protocol

Response rate

98.4%

Abstract

To better understand the impact of the shock induced by the COVID-19 pandemic on micro and small enterprises in Tunisia and assess the policy responses in a rapidly changing context, reliable data is imperative, and the need to resort to a dynamic data collection tool at a time when countries in the region are in a state of flux cannot be overstated. The COVID-19 MENA Monitor Survey was led by the Economic Research Forum (ERF) to provide data for researchers and policy makers on the economic and labor market impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic on enterprises.

The ERF COVID-19 MENA Monitor Survey is constructed using a series of short panel phone surveys, that are conducted approximately every two months, and it will cover business closure (temporary/permanent) due to lockdowns, ability to telework/deliver the service, disruptions to supply chains (for inputs and outputs), loss of product markets, increased cost of supplies, worker layoffs, salary adjustments, access to lines of credit and delays in transportation. Understanding the strategies of enterprises (particularly micro and small enterprises) to cope with the crisis is one of the main objectives of this survey. Specific constraints such as weak access to the internet in some areas or laws constraining goods' delivery will be analyzed. Enterprise owners will also be asked about prospects for the future, including ability to stay open, and whether they benefited from any measures to support their businesses. The ERF COVID-19 MENA Monitor Survey is a wide-ranging, nationally representative panel survey. The wave 2 of this dataset was collected from June to August 2021 and harmonized by the Economic Research Forum (ERF) and is featured as data for enterprise data. The survey is in the process of further expansion to include other waves. The harmonization was designed to create comparable data that can facilitate cross-country and comparative research between other Arab countries (Morocco, Tunisia and Jordan). All the COVID-19 MENA Monitor surveys incorporate similar survey designs, with data on enterprises within Arab countries (Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia and Morocco).

Geographic coverage

National

Analysis unit

Enterprises

Universe

The sample universe for the enterprise survey was enterprises that had 6-199 workers pre-COVID-19

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

The sample universe for the firm survey was firms that had 6-199 workers pre-COVID-19. Stratified random samples were used to ensure adequate sample size in key strata. A target of 500 firms was set as a sample. Up to Five attempts were made to ensure response if a phone number was not picked up/answered, was disconnected or busy, or picked up but could not complete the interview at that time. After the fifth failed attempt, a firm was treated as a non-response and a random firm from the same stratum was used as an alternate.

Use Yellow Pages as follow: o Data on broad categories (e.g. gas stations) o Coded into four strata: (1) services, (2) food & accommodation, (3) trade, manufacturing, and agriculture, (4) construction o Restricted to enterprises with 6-199 workers in February 2020 based on an eligibility question during the phone interview

Mode of data collection

Computer Assisted Telephone Interview [cati]

Research instrument

The enterprise questionnaire is carried out to understand the strategies of enterprises -particularly micro and small enterprises- to cope with the crisis as well as related constraints and prospects for the future. It includes questions on business closure (temporary/permanent) due to lockdowns, ability to telework/deliver the service, disruptions to supply chains (for inputs and outputs), loss of product markets, increased cost of supplies, worker layoffs, salary adjustments, access to lines of credit and delays in transportation.

Note: The questionnaire can be seen in the documentation materials tab.

The aim of the special survey of the GESIS panel on the outbreak of the corona virus SARS-CoV-2 in Germany was to collect timely data on the effects of the corona crisis on people´s daily lives. The study focused on questions of risk perception, risk minimization measures, evaluation of political measures and their compliance, trust in politics and institutions, changed employment situation, childcare obligations, and media consumption. Due to the need for timely data collection, only the GESIS panel sub-sample of online respondents was invited (about three quarters of the sample). Since, due to time constraints, respondents could only participate in the online survey but not by mail, the results cannot be easily transferred to the overall population. Further longitudinal surveys on Covid-19 with the entire sample of the GESIS panel are planned for 2020.

Topics: Risk perception: Probability of events related to corona infection in the next two months (self, infection of a person from close social surrondings, hospital treatment, quarantine measures regardless of whether infected or not, infecting other people)

Risk minimization: risk minimization measures taken in the last seven days (avoided certain (busy) places, kept minimum distance to other people, adapted school or work situation, quarantine due to symptoms or without symptoms, washed hands more often, used disinfectant, stocks increased, reduced social interactions, worn face mask, other, none of these measures).

Evaluation of the effectiveness of various policy measures to combat the further spread of corona virus (closure of day-care centres, kindergartens and schools, closure of sports facilities, closure of bars, cafés and restaurants, closure of all shops except supermarkets and pharmacies, ban on visiting hospitals, nursing homes and old people´s homes, curfew for persons aged 70 and over or people with health problems or for anyone not working in the health sector or other critical professions (except for basic purchases and urgent medical care).

Curfew compliance or refusal: Willingness to obey a curfew vs. refusal; reasons for the compliance with curfew (social duty, fear of punishment, protection against infection, fear of infecting others (loved ones, infecting others in general, a risk group); reasons for refusal of curfew (restrictions too drastic or not justified, other obligations, does not stop the spread, not affected by the outbreak, boring at home, will not be punished).

Evaluation of the effectiveness of various government measures (medical care, restrictions on social life such as closure of public facilities and businesses, reduction of economic damage, communication with the population).

Trust in politics and institutions with regard to dealing with the coronavirus (physician, local health authority, local and municipal administration, Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Federal Government, German Chancellor, Ministry of Health, World Health Organization (WHO), scientists).

Changed employment situation: employment status at the beginning of March; change in occupational situation since the spread of coronavirus: dependent employees: number of hours reduced, number of hours increased, more home office, leave of absence with/ without continued wage payment , fired, no change; self-employed: working hours reduced, working hours increased, more home office, revenue decreased, revenue increased, company temporarily closed by the authorities, company temporarily voluntarily closed, financial hardship, company permanently closed or insolvent, no change.

Childcare: children under 12 in the household; organisation of childcare during the closure of day-care centres, kindergartens and schools (staying at home, partner stays at home, older siblings take care, grandparents are watching, etc.)

Media consumption on Corona: information sources used for Corona (e.g. nationwide public or private television or radio, local public or private television or radio, national newspapers or local newspapers, Facebook, other social media, personal conversations with friends and family, other, do not inform myself on the subject); frequency of Facebook usage; information about Corona obtained from regional Facebook page or regional Facebook group.

Demography: sex; age (categorized); education (categorized); intention to vote and choice of party (Sunday question); Left-right self-assessment; marital status; size of household.

Additionally coded: Respondent ID;...

As of the second half of 2020, most businesses in Morocco were in operation, following the lifting of strict coronavirus (COVID-19) confinement regulations in the country. This was represented by **** percent of the ***** business enterprises surveyed. According to the survey, only *** percent of these businesses had been permanently shut down due to the afore-mentioned pandemic. COVID-19 has had economic impacts on the country since its emergence in **********.

Abstract

To better understand the impact of the shock induced by the COVID-19 pandemic on micro and small enterprises in Morocco and assess the policy responses in a rapidly changing context, reliable data is imperative, and the need to resort to a dynamic data collection tool at a time when countries in the region are in a state of flux cannot be overstated. The COVID-19 MENA Monitor Survey was led by the Economic Research Forum (ERF) to provide data for researchers and policy makers on the economic and labor market impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic on enterprises.

The ERF COVID-19 MENA Monitor Survey is constructed using a series of short panel phone surveys, that are conducted approximately every two months, and it will cover business closure (temporary/permanent) due to lockdowns, ability to telework/deliver the service, disruptions to supply chains (for inputs and outputs), loss of product markets, increased cost of supplies, worker layoffs, salary adjustments, access to lines of credit and delays in transportation. Understanding the strategies of enterprises (particularly micro and small enterprises) to cope with the crisis is one of the main objectives of this survey. Specific constraints such as weak access to the internet in some areas or laws constraining goods' delivery will be analyzed. Enterprise owners will also be asked about prospects for the future, including ability to stay open, and whether they benefited from any measures to support their businesses. The ERF COVID-19 MENA Monitor Survey is a wide-ranging, nationally representative panel survey. The baseline wave of this dataset was collected in February 2021 and harmonized by the Economic Research Forum (ERF) and is featured as wave 1 for enterprise data. The survey is in the process of further expansion to include other waves.

The harmonization was designed to create comparable data that can facilitate cross-country and comparative research between other Arab countries (Egypt, Tunisia and Jordan). All the COVID-19 MENA Monitor surveys incorporate similar survey designs, with data on enterprises within Arab countries (Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia and Morocco).

Geographic coverage

National

Analysis unit

Enterprises

Universe

The sample universe for the enterprise survey was enterprises that had 6-199 workers pre-COVID-19

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

Use Yellow Pages (no efficient digital copy available; a physical copy was used) as follow: o Data organized geographically, not categorically o Three geographic strata used: (1) Casa-Rabat, (2) North, (3) South o The page ranges for the strata were provided. A random page within a stratum was selected, and then a random enterprise on that page (without replacement). o The number of enterprises on the page was recorded and incorporated into the inverse probability weights. o Restricted to enterprises with 6-199 workers in February 2020 based on an eligibility question during the phone interview § sized: 6-9 employees (since APII only covered 10+), 10-49, and 50-199

Mode of data collection

Computer Assisted Telephone Interview [cati]

Research instrument

The enterprise questionnaire is carried out to understand the strategies of enterprises -particularly micro and small enterprises- to cope with the crisis as well as related constraints and prospects for the future. It includes questions on business closure (temporary/permanent) due to lockdowns, ability to telework/deliver the service, disruptions to supply chains (for inputs and outputs), loss of product markets, increased cost of supplies, worker layoffs, salary adjustments, access to lines of credit and delays in transportation.

Abstract

As part of the efforts of the World Bank Group to understand the impact of COVID-19 on the private sector, the Enterprise Analysis unit is conducting follow-up surveys on recently completed Enterprise Surveys (ES) in several countries. These short surveys follow the baseline ES and are designed to provide quick information on the impact and adjustments that COVID-19 has brought about in the private sector.

Geographic coverage

The COVID-19 follow-up survey for Somalia covered establishments in Bosasu, Mogadishu, Baidoa, Beledeyne and Kismayo.

Analysis unit

The primary sampling unit of the study is the establishment. An establishment is a physical location where business is carried out and where industrial operations take place or services are provided. A firm may be composed of one or more establishments. For example, a brewery may have several bottling plants and several establishments for distribution. For the purposes of this survey an establishment must make its own financial decisions and have its own financial statements separate from those of the firm. An establishment must also have its own management and control over its payroll.

Universe

The universe for the Somalia Micro-Enterprise Survey includes formally registered businesses with less than five employees. In terms of sector and size, the survey covers all non-agricultural sectors and businesses of all size categories if they meet the registration and size criteria.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

The COVID-19 survey for Somalia is slightly different from the standard follow-up survey conducted by the unit in other countries in two ways. First, while the 2019 World Bank Enterprise Survey covered only Bosasu and Mogadishu, the COVID-19 survey has been expanded to cover three additional cities - Baidoa, Beledweyne and Kismayo. Sampling for these additional cities followed the standard ES methodology of stratified random sampling and the universe of coverage is the same as the standard ES. Second, for Bosaso and Mogadishu, establishments that refused the follow-up interview or were unobtainable are replaced by establishments that were not part of the 2019 ES, selected from the same cell (combination of size, sector, and location) as in the ES. Further, for Mogadishu the coverage of the COVID-19 survey has been expanded by increasing the sample size for the ES firms (5 or more employees) compared to the 2019 ES, and by adding micro-enterprises. The baseline ES for Bosaso and Mogadishu contains a total of 250 interviews conducted from Nomber 2019 though February 2020. The third round of COVID-19 survey recontacts all businesses interviewed as part of round 1 and 2 surveys. For these two cities, the follow-up data can be merged with the baseline data set using the variable idstd.

Total sample target: 453

Mode of data collection

Computer Assisted Telephone Interview [cati]

Research instrument

The questionnaire contains the following modules: - Control information and introduction - General information of a firm/ establishment - Sales - Production - Labor - Finance - Policies - Expectations - Trade and global value chains - Information on permanently closed establishments - Interview protocol

Response rate

93.4%

Abstract

To better understand the impact of the shock induced by the COVID-19 pandemic on micro and small enterprises in Jordan and assess the policy responses in a rapidly changing context, reliable data is imperative, and the need to resort to a dynamic data collection tool at a time when countries in the region are in a state of flux cannot be overstated. The COVID-19 MENA Monitor Survey was led by the Economic Research Forum (ERF) to provide data for researchers and policy makers on the economic and labor market impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic on enterprises.

The ERF COVID-19 MENA Monitor Survey is constructed using a series of short panel phone surveys, that are conducted approximately every two months, and it will cover business closure (temporary/permanent) due to lockdowns, ability to telework/deliver the service, disruptions to supply chains (for inputs and outputs), loss of product markets, increased cost of supplies, worker layoffs, salary adjustments, access to lines of credit and delays in transportation. Understanding the strategies of enterprises (particularly micro and small enterprises) to cope with the crisis is one of the main objectives of this survey. Specific constraints such as weak access to the internet in some areas or laws constraining goods' delivery will be analyzed. Enterprise owners will also be asked about prospects for the future, including ability to stay open, and whether they benefited from any measures to support their businesses. The ERF COVID-19 MENA Monitor Survey is a wide-ranging, nationally representative panel survey. The wave 3 of this dataset was collected from August to September 2021 and harmonized by the Economic Research Forum (ERF) and is featured as data for enterprise data.

The harmonization was designed to create comparable data that can facilitate cross-country and comparative research between other Arab countries (Morocco, Egypt, and Tunisia). All the COVID-19 MENA Monitor surveys incorporate similar survey designs, with data on enterprises within Arab countries (Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, and Morocco).

Geographic coverage

National

Analysis unit

Enterprises

Universe

The sample universe for the enterprise survey was enterprises that had 6-199 workers pre-COVID-19

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

The sample universe for the firm survey was firms that had 6-199 workers pre-COVID-19. Stratified random samples were used to ensure adequate sample size in key strata. A target of 500 firms was set as a sample. Up to Five attempts were made to ensure response if a phone number was not picked up/answered, was disconnected or busy, or picked up but could not complete the interview at that time. After the fifth failed attempt, a firm was treated as a non-response and a random firm from the same stratum was used as an alternate.

Kinz (a Jordanian corporate data mining website, which had a larger sample of enterprises than the Yellow Pages in Jordan). o Data on broad categories (e.g. Industry, Marketing) o Coded into five strata: (1) services, (2) food & accommodation, (3) trade and agriculture, (4) construction, (5) industry o Initial frame restricted to enterprises with 5-250 workers. Further restricted to enterprises with 6-199 workers in February 2020 based on an eligibility question during the phone interview

Mode of data collection

Computer Assisted Telephone Interview [cati]

Research instrument

The enterprise questionnaire is carried out to understand the strategies of enterprises -particularly micro and small enterprises- to cope with the crisis as well as related constraints and prospects for the future. It includes questions on business closure (temporary/permanent) due to lockdowns, ability to telework/deliver the service, disruptions to supply chains (for inputs and outputs), loss of product markets, increased cost of supplies, worker layoffs, salary adjustments, access to lines of credit and delays in transportation.

Note: The questionnaire can be seen in the documentation materials tab.

Likelihood of businesses permanently adopting various measures once the COVID-19 pandemic is over, by North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), business employment size, type of business, business activity and majority ownership.

Due to the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, several companies of the tourism industry in Italy could face the risk of closing down permanently in 2020. According to the estimates, over ** thousand restaurants and bars are expected to be at risk of shutting down definitely during the year. Moreover, about *** thousand businesses in the accommodations sector are forecasted to probably close down in 2020.

For further information about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, please visit our dedicated Facts and Figures page.

The Digital Response to COVID-19 gives you access to a large resource database including open source software, websites, and platforms that are useful for public administrations, businesses, and citizens dealing with the ongoing crisis:

• Open source solutions – A growing list of open source software solutions available to help medical staff, public administrations, businesses, and citizens in their daily activities.
• Open data – Open databases and datasets to analyse the evolution of the COVID-19 outbreak.
• Hackathons and events – A list of hackathons, past and future, in order to access their findings and contribute to the development of new responses to tackle the issues related to COVID-19. This includes a list of events on COVID-19.
• Useful links and resources – A list of links, online platforms, and websites to obtain more information about COVID-19 issues. Among other things, you can learn about the measures in place in your country and worldwide, find out which organisations need your help or discover available educational resources.
• Already on Joinup – Interoperable solutions ready for reuse that might support governments and citizens in the current crisis.

The listed solutions and resources cover a wide range of areas from public health, education, e-events, and volunteering, to collaboration opportunities, among others.

The collection is constantly evolving and being updated with newly available digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 crisis.

Commercial COVID-19 Air Disinfection Device Market Outlook

The global Commercial COVID-19 Air Disinfection Device market size was valued at approximately USD 1.2 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 3.5 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.5% during the forecast period. This significant growth is driven by increasing awareness about airborne pathogens and heightened demand for clean air in public and commercial spaces due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

One of the primary growth factors for this market is the rising concern about airborne diseases, which has been accentuated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The necessity of maintaining air hygiene in enclosed spaces such as hospitals, schools, and commercial buildings has become a priority for governments and businesses alike. This heightened awareness has spurred investments in air disinfection technologies, leading to substantial market growth. Additionally, regulatory bodies worldwide are implementing stringent guidelines and regulations, further driving the adoption of advanced air disinfection devices.

Technological advancements in air disinfection devices have also played a crucial role in market expansion. Innovations such as HEPA filtration, UV-C light technology, and ionization have significantly improved the efficacy of air purification systems. These technologies not only eliminate COVID-19 viruses but also other airborne pathogens, allergens, and pollutants, contributing to overall better air quality. This multi-faceted application is expected to sustain the market's growth momentum in the coming years.

Moreover, increasing investments in research and development by major market players are anticipated to further boost the market. Companies are focusing on developing more efficient, cost-effective, and user-friendly air disinfection devices. The introduction of portable units, smart connectivity features, and integration with existing HVAC systems are some of the innovations that are making these devices more accessible and appealing to a broader range of end-users. The commercial real estate sector, in particular, is expected to see significant adoption of these devices as businesses strive to provide safe environments for employees and customers.

As the demand for air disinfection technologies continues to rise, Indoor Disinfection Service providers are playing a crucial role in ensuring that enclosed environments remain safe and pathogen-free. These services offer comprehensive solutions that include the installation and maintenance of air disinfection devices, tailored to the specific needs of various settings such as offices, schools, and healthcare facilities. By leveraging advanced technologies like UV-C light and HEPA filtration, Indoor Disinfection Service providers help mitigate the risk of airborne diseases, thereby enhancing the overall air quality. This growing emphasis on indoor air hygiene is not only a response to the COVID-19 pandemic but also a proactive measure to safeguard public health in the long term.

The regional outlook also highlights a robust growth trajectory, especially in North America and Asia Pacific. North America, with its advanced healthcare infrastructure and stringent regulatory standards, is anticipated to lead the market. Meanwhile, the Asia Pacific region is expected to experience the fastest growth due to increasing urbanization, rising healthcare awareness, and substantial investments in public health infrastructure.

Product Type Analysis

The product type segment of the Commercial COVID-19 Air Disinfection Device market is categorized into Portable Air Disinfection Devices, Wall-Mounted Air Disinfection Devices, and Ceiling-Mounted Air Disinfection Devices. Portable air disinfection devices are witnessing increased demand due to their flexibility, ease of use, and effectiveness. These devices are particularly popular in office spaces, small clinics, and homes where mobility and immediate air quality improvement are essential. The convenience offered by portable devices is a significant factor driving their adoption, making them a rapidly growing sub-segment in this market.

Wall-mounted air disinfection devices are preferred in settings where space optimization and permanent installation are required. These devices are prominent in hospitals, schools, and commercial buildings where continuous air purification is necessary. Their ability to provide high-efficienc

A layoff is the temporary or permanent termination of employment by an employer for reasons unrelated to the employee's performance. Employees may be laid off when companies aim to cut costs, due to a decline in demand for their products or services, seasonal closure, or during an economic downturn.

Facing an uncertain global economy and slowing revenue growth, technology companies have picked up the pace of layoffs in 2023, with total staff cuts now greater than all tech company job losses last year.

Data Source: layoff.fyi

Close to 80 percent of employees in the United States, Germany, United Kingdom, and China are satisfied with working from home during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. 34 percent of employees in the United Kingdom love working from home and easily see themselves doing that forever. As with employee preferences, working policies by businesses, public bodies and employers could also see significant changes regarding where and how people work after the pandemic.

For further information about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, please visit our dedicated Facts and Figures page.

Abstract

To better understand the impact of the shock induced by the COVID-19 pandemic on micro and small enterprises in Tunisia and assess the policy responses in a rapidly changing context, reliable data is imperative, and the need to resort to a dynamic data collection tool at a time when countries in the region are in a state of flux cannot be overstated. The COVID-19 MENA Monitor Survey was led by the Economic Research Forum (ERF) to provide data for researchers and policy makers on the economic and labor market impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic on enterprises.

The ERF COVID-19 MENA Monitor Survey is constructed using a series of short panel phone surveys, that are conducted approximately every two months, and it will cover business closure (temporary/permanent) due to lockdowns, ability to telework/deliver the service, disruptions to supply chains (for inputs and outputs), loss of product markets, increased cost of supplies, worker layoffs, salary adjustments, access to lines of credit and delays in transportation. Understanding the strategies of enterprises (particularly micro and small enterprises) to cope with the crisis is one of the main objectives of this survey. Specific constraints such as weak access to the internet in some areas or laws constraining goods' delivery will be analyzed. Enterprise owners will also be asked about prospects for the future, including ability to stay open, and whether they benefited from any measures to support their businesses. The ERF COVID-19 MENA Monitor Survey is a wide-ranging, nationally representative panel survey. The wave 3 of this dataset was collected from August to September 2021 and harmonized by the Economic Research Forum (ERF) and is featured as data for enterprise data.

The harmonization was designed to create comparable data that can facilitate cross-country and comparative research between other Arab countries (Morocco, Egypt, and Jordan). All the COVID-19 MENA Monitor surveys incorporate similar survey designs, with data on enterprises within Arab countries (Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, and Morocco).

Geographic coverage

National

Analysis unit

Enterprises

Universe

The sample universe for the enterprise survey was enterprises that had 6-199 workers pre-COVID-19

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

The sample universe for the firm survey was firms that had 6-199 workers pre-COVID-19. Stratified random samples were used to ensure adequate sample size in key strata. A target of 500 firms was set as a sample. Up to Five attempts were made to ensure response if a phone number was not picked up/answered, was disconnected or busy, or picked up but could not complete the interview at that time. After the fifth failed attempt, a firm was treated as a non-response and a random firm from the same stratum was used as an alternate.

Use the National Institute of Statistics (INS) and Agency for the Promotion of Industry and Innovation (APII) databases as follow: o Tunisia did not have a Yellow Pages or similar database, so administrative/statistics data sources had to be used o The sample started with the INS frame with 1,238 enterprises with 6-200 wage employees § Enterprises were stratified into: (1) Agriculture (2) Industry (3) Construction (4) Trade (5) Accommodation (6) Service § Enterprises were also stratified by size in terms of 6-49 versus 50-200 employees § A random stratified sample (order) was selected § Further restricted to enterprises with 6-199 workers in February 2020 based on an eligibility question during the phone interview § This sample frame was eventually exhausted o After the INS sample was exhausted, the APII sample was used § APII only covered enterprises with 10+ workers § APII only covered (1) services & transport, and (2) industry o Weights are based on the underlying data on all enterprises from INS, specifically: Entreprises privées selon l'activité principale et la tranche de salariés (RNE 2019). § We ultimately stratify the Tunisia weights by industry and enterprises sized: 6-9 employees (since APII only covered 10+), 10-49, and 50-199.

Mode of data collection

Computer Assisted Telephone Interview [cati]

Research instrument

The enterprise questionnaire is carried out to understand the strategies of enterprises -particularly micro and small enterprises- to cope with the crisis as well as related constraints and prospects for the future. It includes questions on business closure (temporary/permanent) due to lockdowns, ability to telework/deliver the service, disruptions to supply chains (for inputs and outputs), loss of product markets, increased cost of supplies, worker layoffs, salary adjustments, access to lines of credit and delays in transportation.

Note: The questionnaire can be seen in the documentation materials tab.

Compared to February 2020, roughly 24.4 thousand people have become unemployed and 39.2 thousand people temporarily laid off mainly because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in Finland. As of November 2020, the highest spike in the numbers of unemployed jobseekers and temporary layoffs during 2020 was recorded between March 30 and April 5 (week 14).

COVID-19 impact on unemployment Although the full-blown consequences of the coronavirus pandemic remain uncertain, the monthly unemployment rate spiked in Finland in May 2020. While many people have lost their jobs, even a larger group of people have been temporarily laid off. In order to avoid mass layoffs in companies, the Finnish government reduced the period of notice before layoff until 31 December 2020. However, it remains to be seen, to what extent temporary coronavirus layoffs turn permanent in the long run. Nonetheless, based on a forecast, the unemployment is expected to stay at a higher level in the upcoming years than before the COVID-19 outbreak.

Uneven prospects As of April 2020, the majority of Finnish people were still not particularly worried about the risk of losing a job or income because of the coronavirus pandemic. However, especially students are at risk of losing their income, as seasonal work has become scarce due to restrictions and business closures. This can potentially lead to long-term negative consequences for the income and career development of young people.