While the main priority of government has to be on saving lives during this pandemic, there must also be a parallel strategy aimed at ensuring that after lockdown, the economy quickly recovers and people can get back to work.
The early introduction of steps such as the jobs retention scheme has undoubtedly helped to ease some of the initial pressure on business with a large number of firms in Northern Ireland placing staff on furlough.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has extended the scheme to the end of June but the reality is that this crisis could drag on for many months with dire predictions about the impact on the economy.
While we have yet to be told what the plan is for the eventual lifting of restrictions, if we follow what is happening in other parts of Europe, it is likely to be a slow, gradual return with the prospect of reverting to lockdown if infections increase.
The hope is that some businesses will be able to resume to a greater or lesser extent, but the signs are that social distancing will continue to affect the hospitality, travel and tourism industry, which has been severely hit by the emergency.
Joanne Stuart, chief executive of the Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance, has given the Stormont economy committee a sense of the difficulties facing the sector, calling for a tourism recovery support package from the government and for the three-month business rates holiday to be extended to the rest of the year.
Although the British government has introduced a range of grants and other relief measures, it is also crucial that the devolved structures deliver targeted support which takes account of the particular concerns facing local firms.
One such issue has been raised by SDLP MLA Matthew O'Toole who called for the executive to protect the north's media industry, which has suffered from a significant drop in advertising and a decrease in print sales, as some readers move online.
Mr O'Toole has proposed measures including rates relief for local newspapers, subject to conditions, and expanded advertising spending.
This initiative, which has cross-party support, is aimed at protecting a vital service which is under enormous pressure in exceptional times, the fear being that some titles may not survive this crisis.
The media has a vital role to play in informing the public and holding those in authority to account.
During this unprecedented crisis, it is a role that is needed more than ever.
