“The danger of a new virus causes concern and it requires a sense of responsibilitybut we have to avoid unjustified anxiety states and counterproductive”: this is what the President of the Republic affirms in a video message to the country, Sergio Mattarella.
The Head of State does not hide that "Italy is going through a particularly challenging moment and is dutifully facing it with full transparency and completeness of information". In this regard, Mattarella underlines, "the Government has established guidelines for behaviour" which "I would like to invite everyone to observe".
In his video message, the President invites the country to harmony and unity and expresses closeness to the sick and victims.
"We can and must have faith – continues the President of the Republic – in Italy's capabilities and resources".
Below is the full text of Mattarella's statement (source: Quirinale):
«Dear fellow citizens, Italy is going through a particularly challenging time. He is dutifully addressing it with full transparency and completeness of information towards public opinion.
The danger of a new virus that is gradually affecting many countries of the world causes concern. This is understandable and requires everyone to have a sense of responsibility, but we must absolutely avoid unjustified and often counterproductive states of anxiety.
We are a large modern country, we have an excellent national health system which is operating effectively and with the generous dedication of its staff, at all professional levels.
We will overcome the condition of these days. Also through the necessary adoption of extraordinary measures to support the work of the doctors who have been constantly engaged for days and days: measures for the introduction of new personnel to work alongside them and to ensure the effective availability of equipment and materials, verifying it in all hospital locations.
The Government - to which the Constitution entrusts the task and the tools to decide - yesterday established a series of guidelines for daily behavior, suggested by scientists and valuable experts.
They are simple but important to avoid the risk of spreading the spread of the infection.
I would like to invite everyone to carefully observe these indications, even if they may temporarily change some of our life habits.
By respecting those behavioral criteria, each of us will contribute concretely to overcoming this emergency.
Our fellow citizens of the so-called red zones are doing it with great seriousness. I thank them for the way they are dealing with the sacrifices they are subjected to.
I wish to express sincere closeness to the sick people and great solidarity with the families of the victims.
The moment we are going through requires involvement, sharing, harmony, unity of purpose in the commitment to defeat the virus: in the institutions, in politics, in the daily life of society, in the media.
The control room set up by the Government is responsible for taking – unequivocally – the necessary decisions in collaboration with the Regions, coordinating the various competences and responsibilities. Particular initiatives that deviate from the indications adopted in the coordination office must therefore be avoided.
Dear fellow citizens, without imprudence but without alarmism, we can and must have faith in the capabilities and resources we have at our disposal.
We must and can have faith in Italy».
