Ex-Andorra Ministers Launch Book on Covid-19 Pandemic Management

Former Health Minister Joan Martínez Benazet and ex-Finance Minister Eric Jover presented their book *Divendres 13. La pandèmia a Andorra* on Tuesday evening at the Escaldes-Engordany communal hall, drawing a full house of around 300 attendees despite limited capacity.

Six years after Andorra's lockdown began on 13 March 2020, the book offers a personal account of managing the Covid-19 crisis from the front lines. Coordinated by journalist Judit Pedrós, who worked in the government's communications team during the pandemic, it blends political decisions, emotional reflections, and tributes to those who helped navigate the emergency. The authors describe it as a way to preserve memories amid society's tendency to forget, while honouring healthcare workers, police, shop staff, and the public.

Benazet and Jover, the public faces of the response, led daily briefings—twice a day during the initial lockdown. They recount the frenetic pace of decisions under uncertainty, with limited information and constant evolution of the virus. "You entered a dynamic so fast that you felt somewhat numb," Benazet said, though moments like confining the elderly, announcing daily deaths, and seeing children isolated remained emotionally searing.

The book praises the government's unity across political lines, transparent communication, and priorities: protecting lives to avoid rationing ventilators and supporting businesses through measures like soft loans. Andorra recorded some of Europe's lowest mortality and lethality rates, with 165 deaths overall, and earned international praise—such as a Forbes article highlighting its testing strategy. Efforts secured vaccines, including through Benazet's ties with then-Spanish Health Minister Salvador Illa, despite the principality's small size and external dependencies making it vulnerable.

Both stand by major choices, acknowledging missteps like early trials of azithromycin and hydroxychloroquine, quickly abandoned. It critiques anti-vaccine movements and populism, while injecting humour—recalling Benazet's worn tie, Jover's self-cut hair, and Benazet's cat Barri stealing the show on broadcasts.

Jover called it "a book of gratitude to Andorra's extremely responsible people," crediting public compliance for a relatively positive outcome. The event featured sign language interpreter David Jiménez, tributes to health leaders, and a video message from Illa, ending in a standing ovation. The book is now on sale.