Residents on Achill Island have joined forces to provide a co-ordinated response to the coronavirus outbreak.

After an emergency meeting between the island's GPs, voluntary groups and a number of businesses last week, the local tourist centre has been repurposed to co-ordinate supports for people needing assistance.

Each of the 20 villages on the island has two designated volunteer leaders, with a team of other helpers who can then respond to calls in each area, as they arise.

Staff at Achill Tourism are dealing with calls and putting people in contact with volunteers in each village. Lines are open from 9 am to 5 pm, seven days a week.

Chris McCarthy of Achill Tourism said local knowledge in each townland would be of great assistance to those in need.

Residents who are self-isolating or in quarantine over the coming months can call to arrange for messages or medical supplies to be collected on their behalf and dropped to their home.

The initiative was launched this morning and comes after concerns locally about the volume of people visiting beaches on the island over the weekend.