Biden to sign 10 executive orders to tackle Covid-19

President Joe Biden is set to sign 10 executive orders to boost the fight against Covid which has ravaged the US.

Vaccination will be accelerated and testing increased. Emergency legislation will be used to increase production of essentials like masks.

In a break with former President Donald Trump, the policy stresses a national strategy rather than relying on states to decide what is best.

The moves comes a day after Mr Biden was sworn in as the 46th president.

The Trump administration was widely accused of failing to get to grips with the pandemic.

In terms of total deaths from coronavirus, the US is the worst-hit country with more than 406,000 lives lost according to Johns Hopkins University. Nearly 24.5m have been infected.

In his inauguration speech, Mr Biden warned that the coronavirus pandemic in the US was entering its “deadliest period”.

Mr Biden’s Covid-19 task force co-ordinator, Jeff Zients, told reporters that under Mr Trump there was no strategy at federal level and a comprehensive approach was lacking.

“As President Biden steps into office today, that all changes,” he said.

The administration unveiled a seven-point plan which included efforts to facilitate effective distribution of vaccines and reliable access to testing.

“The American people deserve an urgent, robust and professional response to the growing public health and economic crisis caused by the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak,” an introduction to the plan said.

It said Mr Biden believed the government “must act swiftly and aggressively to help protect and support” essential workers and the most vulnerable

The aim is to give 100 million vaccine doses by the end of April, and reopen most schools safely within 100 days.

Vaccine centres will be established at stadiums and community facilities.