As the COVID-19 global pandemic continued to spread, countries around the world are bracing for a deep downturn, as lockdowns and quarantines have resulted to job losses and business closures. Governments, including ASEAN Member States, have taken swift action and applied monetary, fiscal, and sector-specific measures to cushion the widespread impact of the pandemic. To date, the combined fiscal stimulus packages implemented by the AMS has reached an equivalent of USD318.2 billion or 10.1% of ASEAN GDP in 2019.

The second issue of the ASEAN Policy Brief examines the ASEAN policy responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.