The policy response to this unprecedented crisis calls for a holistic approach that involves the government working in close partnership with all sectors and citizenry. It requires managing the immediate health and socioeconomic shocks to achieve sustained recovery. It also involves making difficult decisions to balance the demands of responding directly to COVID-19 while also maintaining essential health services delivery and helping to mitigate the risk of a health systems collapse. Nevertheless, this profound health, socioeconomic and humanitarian crisis offers an unparalleled opportunity to review past government practices and priorities. As humanity transits to a post COVID-19 world, Eswatini cannot continue business as usual.