Overview of the National Preventive Mechanism 1.2 Visits discontinues during the first lockdown Exercising the mandate during the pandemic The authority of the NPM to perform its monitoring work during the COVID-19 pandemic was never an issue even during the general lockdowns in 2020. The NPM paused almost all visits however from 16 March to 30 May 2020. At that time, there was no empirical knowledge of the specifics of the virus and the best possible protection against infection. Reports of already overcrowded hospitals and exploding numbers of dead from neighbouring northern Italy however were a reminder not to underestimate the risk of infection and infectiousness of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. After the first laboratory-confirmed outbreaks of the illness in hospitals and nursing homes, it became evident in March 2020 that it was not possible to equip the NPM commissions in a way that could prevent contracting infections. In the first few months after the pandemic outbreak, there was not even sufficient medical PPE for the medical and nursing staff with direct contact to infected persons. Even the PCR tests considered the gold standard for suspected cases of COVID-19 by the WHO were subject to strict limitations due to a lack of reagents and laboratory capacity. Visits possible again since June 2020 During the course of May 2020, the commissions could be sufficiently equipped with top-quality PPE (overalls, FFP2 and FFP3 masks, protective glasses, gloves, disinfectants etc.), thereby enabling visits to the institutions and facilities. The Federal Ministry of Health and its crisis taskforce also met the wish of the NPM at the beginning of June 2020 to inform them how visits should be conducted in retirement and nursing homes in such a way that the risk of passing the virus to this most vulnerable of groups is avoided insofar as possible. Generally speaking, smaller visiting delegations than in previous years were formed until the end of the year, the average duration of visits and meetings shortened, or the visits were conducted outdoors where possible or moved to specially set up visitor zones. Protective measures of the NPM As early as the late summer, the NPM changed its approach. Valid PCR tests were made prior of each visit, thus ensuring the institutions that the members of the commissions did not pose an increased threat of infection on the day of the visit. Antigen quick tests were used as a standard prior to starting visits when they became available. Thanks to the caution practised by the members of the commissions in not wanting to place anyone at risk combined with the professional use of the PPE, none of the members of the commissions became infected with SARS-CoV-2 or had to go into quarantine. What is notable and worthy of praise is that the commissions continued their work in the last three calendar months of the year even though the virus had spread uncontrolled throughout Austria and the health authorities were no longer able to stop chains of infection through the immediate isolation of those who were infected or were suspected of being infected. 13