Objective   To assess the global epidemic of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in March 2023 and the risk of importation.

  Methods   According to the daily COVID-19 data publicly released by World Health Organization, combined with the travel restrictions published by Sherpa, an epidemiological description method was used to provide a comprehensive and timely assessment of the global epidemic risk through a general overview, a comprehensive assessment of the epidemic trends in each continent and key countries, as well as a comprehensive analysis of the epidemic and travel requirements in 14 neighbouring countries.

  Results   Compared with the previous month, the number of confirmed cases and deaths globally decreased by 16.09% and 25.44% respectively in March 2023. Daily new confirmed cases and deaths decreased in North America and Asia, increased in Europe and Africa, and new cases increased but new deaths decreased in South America and Oceania. France and England were countries with global concern, the new cases of which increased significantly this month compared with the last month. Chile and Peru in the South America, South Africa, Mauritius and Tunisia in the Africa , Australia, New Zealand and Micronesia in Oceania also showed a rapid rise in the number of new cases in March. Special concern should be paid to Pakistan, India, Nepal and Afghanistan among the 14 land-boarding countries, whose cases rose in March and there were no international travel restriction related to COVID-19.

  Conclusion   The overall global trend in March was down, but there was an increase in new confirmed cases and deaths in some countries. It is necessary to continuously monitor countries with global concern and establish a communication mechanism with relevant agencies to exchange information and provide timely warnings.