OPEN RESEARCH BEHIND CLOSED DOORS KEY MESSAGE ON QUARANTINE: Under the current preventive regulations, it might be necessary to separate persons deprived of liberty. However, it should not take the form of isolation and ‘restrictions (…) must be necessary, evidence-informed, proportionate (i.e. the least restrictive option) and non-arbitrary. The disruptive impacts of such measures should be actively mitigated, such as through enhanced access to telephone or digital communications if visits are limited.’ (UNODC, WHO, UNAIDS and OHCHR, Joint statement on COVID-19 in prisons and other closed settings, 2020) 2.5 Monitoring Key aspects » Monitoring closed institution is a major safeguard against torture and ill-treatment » Especially when further restrictions are ordered, monitoring visits or adequate alternatives are of utmost importance » In some countries, monitoring activities ceased during the pandemic, or visits took place under restricted conditions The Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT)42 calls upon the Member States to establish National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) for the prevention of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in places of detention through monitoring. Even if relevant human rights mechanisms urged member states to continue monitoring places of detention during the pandemic, the visits by monitoring bodies ceased during the first months of the pandemic in Austria.43 From June 2020 the monitoring of places of detention resumed, but under restricted conditions. For instance, only two members of the NPM visited at a time and frequently they announced their visit. At the same time, the ombuds institution launched an investigation due to a cluster in one of the institutions responsible for preventive measures.44 In Germany, specific questions were sent by the National Agency for the Prevention of Torture to the ministries in order to get an overview of the measures and develop 14