Health officials north and south of the border are to work together to coordinate the response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
It comes after representatives from the Irish and UK Governments and the Stormont Executive held a conference call to discuss the crisis.
The Tánaiste Simon Coveney and Health Minister Simon Harris were joined by Northern Secretary Brandon Lewis, First Minister Arlene Foster, Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Northern Ireland Health Minister Robin Swann on the call.
Today a meeting was held to discuss #COVID19 involving key ministers across Ireland.
COVID19 does not respect borders.
Coordination across our island is vital.
The two Chief Medical Officers will sign a Memorandum of Understanding formalising coordination between North & South pic.twitter.com/plEiiNAKGA
— Michelle O’Neill (@moneillsf) March 31, 2020
After the meeting, Ms O’Neill said the Chief Medical Officers on both sides of the border would sign a memorandum of understanding in the coming days, formalising a coordinated approach.
“We all know that this pandemic takes no notice of borders and it makes sense that we have a joined-up effort to save as many lives as possible across this island,” she said.
“This is all about saving lives.”
On a call along with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and Ministers from RoI. We are sharing information and knowledge about how we can best protect life in the battle against #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/mlcDgG1Psu
— Arlene Foster (@DUPleader) March 31, 2020
The Department of Foreign Affairs said the representatives agreed that the pandemic “does not respect borders” and that there is a “compelling case for effective cooperation north-south and east-west.”
It said they agreed that everything possible will be done in co-ordination and cooperation between the Irish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive to tackle the outbreak.
“Protection of the lives and welfare of everyone on the island is paramount, and no effort will be spared in that objective,” it said.
It comes as the number of deaths on the island of Ireland rose to 82, with 3,496 confirmed cases north and south.
Meanwhile, concerns have been raised that the different approaches to the outbreak on both sides of the border will lead to more deaths in the North than necessary.
Dr Gabriel Scally also warned that putting in place and lifting restrictions at different times could lead to a second mass outbreak further down the road.
