WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - Leaders of the Group of Seven (G-7) wealthy democracies said on Monday (March 16) they were committed to doing "whatever is necessary" to battle the coronavirus pandemic and to work together more closely to protect public health, jobs and growth.

After a call on Monday, the leaders issued a statement promising to address the health and economic risks of the Covid-19 pandemic and set the stage for a strong recovery of economic growth and prosperity.

"We resolve to coordinate measures and do whatever it takes, using all policy tools, to achieve strong growth in the G-7 economies, and to safeguard against downside risks," they said.

"To this end, we are mobilising the full range of instruments, including monetary and fiscal measures, as well as targeted actions, to support immediately and as much as necessary the workers, companies, and sectors most affected.

This is particularly important for small and medium businesses and working families," they added.

The G-7 leaders said their finance ministers would weekly coordinate implementation of the measures and develop further actions.

They called on the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank Group and other international organisations to support countries worldwide to deal with the crisis.

"We will address disturbances to international supply chains and continue our work to facilitate international trade," they added.