Government publishes National Action Plan on COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

The Cabinet Committee on COVID-19 has today (Monday 16 March) approved a National Action Plan in response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus).

The Plan has been prepared following a comprehensive process involving all departments and key agencies.

Its main aims are to:

• minimise the risk of people becoming unwell
• minimise, in particular, the health, wellbeing and social impact for people who may be at greater risk
• reduce, to the extent possible in the context of a public health emergency, the economic and social disruption associated with the COVID-19 outbreak

The Plan includes information on:

• what we know about the COVID-19 virus
• what the public can do to reduce the threat
• the Public Health led approach being taken
• supports for businesses and those who have lost their jobs
• supports for vulnerable people in society
• measures to ensure continuity of essential services
• measures to protect vital supply chains

In particular, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is implementing a wide range of measures that are unprecedented in their scale and speed in order to face the enormous challenges that COVID-19 will pose in the coming weeks.

The Plan will continue to evolve as the situation evolves.

Implementation will continue to be overseen by the Cabinet Committee, which is supported by a Senior Officials Group, and continues to act on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer and the National Public Health Emergency Team.

Today’s meeting of the Cabinet Committee also included:

• a briefing from the Chief Medical Officer on the latest information and advice on the COVID-19 outbreak
• a briefing from the CEO of the Health Service Executive on the HSE’s detailed plan
• a progress report on the emergency legislation which will be put before the Oireachtas later this week
• a report on the economic impacts and the substantial responses in terms of fiscal measures, extra resources for the HSE, support for businesses and employees through the social welfare and tax codes and also through liquidity support from government schemes and the banking system
• a discussion on the all-island dimension to the crisis and the ongoing need for intensive North/South cooperation
• an update on developments at EU level and internationally, including the Taoiseach’s call with the EU Commission President earlier today and the planned European Council discussions tomorrow
• the challenges faced by individual sectors, all of which will be the focus of further intensive focus across government this week

ENDS