Access the guidance COVID-19 Partners Platform based on Operational Planning Guidance Training modules: Operational Planning Guidelines and COVID-19 Partners Platform

Abstract

On 30 January 2020, the Director-General of WHO declared the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) under the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005), following advice from the IHR Emergency Committee. On 4 February 2020, the Director-General of WHO briefed the Secretary-General of the United Nations and requested the activation of the United Nations crisis management policy to establish a Crisis Management Team (CMT) to coordinate the UN system-wide scale up to assist countries prepare for and respond to COVID-19 […] On 6 February 2020 UN Development Coordination Office (UNDCO) hosted a call with WHO to brief all Resident Coordinators and UN Country Teams (UNCTs) to provide updates on the COVID-19 epidemiological situation and introduce the COVID-19 Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan (SPRP),1 emphasizing the importance of responding to the crisis as “One UN.” The primary objective of the international response to the COVID-19 outbreak remains stopping the human-to-human transmission of the virus, and caring for those affected. WHO is calling all partners to use this unique window of opportunity to act immediately to assist all countries to rapidly detect, diagnose, and prevent the further spread of the virus. This guidance document outlines the measures to be taken at country level to contain the virus, and will be updated with further guidance if the epidemiological situation changes.