Covid-19 government measures - KPMG United Arab Emirates

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Assess and triage (resilience phase)

Germany has suffered 111.3 deaths per million inhabitants, ranking it the 37th hardest hit country in the world out of 150 countries recorded as of 16 August.¹

Patient data sharing:³

The app provides a standardized questionnaire for Coronavirus testing, which is filled by the patient on his/her smartphone.
Using a barcode, this information can be transferred directly into clinical IT systems to speed up documentation and increase the throughput of testing facilities.

Biometric big data:³

The Hippokrates app collects biometric data via a smart watch or other wrist-based activity tracker, which is then communicated to a central server.
This large-scale data ‘donation’ allows for much larger statistical analysis of disease symptoms, as well as more proactive healthcare that does not require people to risk infection in a clinic.

Stabilize and emerge (recovery phase)

Reopening the economy:²

To combat the Covid-19 crisis and support economic recovery, the federal government adopted two supplementary budgets: EUR 156 billion (4.9% of GDP) in March and EUR 130 billion (4% of GDP) in June.
The authorities plan to issue EUR 218.5 billion in debt this year to finance the packages.
The stimulus package in June comprises:

A temporary VAT reduction
Income support for families
Grants for hart hit SMEs
Financial support for local governments
Expanded credit guarantees for exporters and export-financing banks
Subsidies/investment in green energy and digitalization

At the same time, through the newly created economic stabilization fund (WSF) and the public development bank (KfW), the government is expanding the volume of and access to public guarantees for firms of different sizes, credit insurers and non-profit institutions. Some are eligible for up to 100% guarantees, increasing the total volume by at least EUR 757 billion (24% of GDP).

Adapt and rethink (new reality)

School cloud:⁴

The HPI School Cloud is aimed at institutions which cannot build their own school cloud to enable distance learning.
Teachers provide digital classes and pupils can work on assignments at any time, including in groups.
Teachers are also able to ‘edushare’, i.e. contribute their own material to the system.

Digital justice:⁵

As part of Germany's EU Council Presidency, the Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection hosted a conference on 16 July, “Access to Justice in the Digital Age – Perspectives and Challenges.”
Topics included how digitalization is making changing how legal professionals work, including the use of algorithms and artificial intelligence in the legal world.

Renewed emphasis on sustainability:⁶

Germany has invested EUR 50 billion in environmental sustainability immediately following the Covid-19 crisis.
This includes significantly greater investment in both public and private electric transport.
Investment in renewable energy, including hydrogen, wind and solar power, is also a priority.

National digitization initiative:⁶

Until 2025, investment in artificial intelligence (AI) will increase from EUR 3 billion to EUR 5 billion.
Funding will be provided to consortia for the construction of quantum computers.
EUR 5 billion will be allocated to building a nationwide 5G network by 2025.
Funding will be provided for automation in public administration, with the aim to increase the online availability of administrative services.

(Future) Pandemic Protection:⁶

Plans include:

Support to build and upgrade the technological and digital capacities of local health authorities and to strengthen their ability to recruit
A program to future-proof hospitals, which will provide funding for necessary investments
Funding for the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and efforts to develop a Covid-19 vaccine

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