The government revokes the decree creating the lab amid the pandemic, transferring duties to the University
of Andorra as the crisis fades.
Key Points
- Lab created Nov 2020 under SAAS to handle Covid emergencies, led by David Vilanova.
- Decree by Minister Helena Mas published in BOPA; ends Jan 1.
- Praised for improving health response; now obsolete post-pandemic.
- Duties shift to University of Andorra with research focus; transition plan pending.
The Andorran government has officially disbanded the National Epidemiology Laboratory, revoking the decree that created it during the Covid-19 pandemic, with the change taking effect on 1 January.
Health Minister Helena Mas signed the decree, published in the BOPA, which ends the five-year run of the laboratory. Originally established in November 2020 under the Servei d'Atenció Sanitària d'Urgències i d'Admissions (SAAS) and led by David Vilanova, the unit was formed to manage health emergencies more effectively amid the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak.
The decree praises its role, stating that the ministry-linked structure "favoured and guaranteed a better health response" during the crisis. However, with the virus in remission and the pandemic emergency declared over more than two years ago, officials now consider the laboratory obsolete and without ongoing purpose.
Its responsibilities will transfer to the University of Andorra, shifting toward a greater research emphasis. A transition plan, which may involve collaboration with Catsa, is set to be developed in the coming months.
Original Sources
This article was aggregated from the following Catalan-language sources: