During the past few months, the pandemic has spread from advanced to emerging markets, the latter currently facing peak outbreaks. As European countries head into the ‘new normal’, there are questions regarding when and how COVID-19 will disappear. In our opinion, the answer lies in two further questions: is there a level of immunity which could protect the population of future outbreaks and make the virus disappear? What are the expectations regarding an effective treatment or vaccine in the short-term? Keeping with our analysis and monitoring of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are publishing “How does the coronavirus end? The issue with immunity” in which we discuss herd immunity. In a future note we will detail the situation regarding vaccines and treatments.