WADA said the group, chaired by United States Anti-Doping Agency chief science officer Matt Fedoruk, will "ensure the global anti-doping community can respond effectively to potential similar public health crises in the future".

Testing has begun to resume across the world following a coronavirus-enforced halt and the group is gathering feedback from anti-doping organisations (ADOs) on their programmes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

WADA has also sent a survey to ADOs, which covers the impact of COVID-19 on their testing schemes, their views on guidance issued by the global watchdog and how the coronavirus crisis has affected sample shipment and analysis.

The organisation said the results from the survey "will assist WADA in identifying ways in which the anti-doping community can continue to adapt and be better prepared for similar situations in the future".

"This may also include developing temporary rules or amendments to the applicable international standards or the inclusion of specific procedures within an existing WADA guideline or other guidance document," WADA added.

WADA director general Olivier Niggli claimed "anti-doping work has intensified quickly" since the start of the easing of restrictions, and that more than 11,000 samples had been collected in July.

"WADA and the clean sport community’s first priority during the coronavirus pandemic has always been the health and safety of athletes, doping control personnel and the general public," Niggli said.

"This is reflected in the reduction of testing programmes in many parts of the world over the past months. 

"However, now that activities are resuming in a growing number of countries, it is encouraging that anti-doping work has intensified quickly with more than 11,000 samples collected in July. 

"ADOs are to be congratulated for their efforts as they show their commitment to returning to full power while continuing to follow the advice of health authorities.

"To understand the impact of the pandemic on global anti-doping programmes, WADA has launched a broad review to identify what lessons can be learned and what improvements can be made to the global anti-doping system should similar public health crises arise in the future. 

"While the situation continues to evolve, we remain ready to assist ADOs in supporting and monitoring their anti-doping programmes."