With cases recorded in more than 200 countries, the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has posed an unprecedented challenge to public health on a global scale. As governments are in marching order to safeguard their people’s health, the contagion has fast extended to the economic sphere. To us, it is especially important that governments are able to take timely and informed decisions suited to their circumstances, leaving no one behind and addressing the potential negative affects on developing and least-developed countries. All should strive to allow international supply chains and trade to continue as best as possible, with special measures in favour of the poor and marginalised, both in developed and developing countries. The multilateral trading system should be supported to contribute to this effort.