President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian welcomed the Armenian government’s decision to declare a state of emergency, viewing it as a very serious challenge for Armenia.
Noting that this challenge belongs not only to Armenia but to the entire world, the President addressed the main principles of the fight against the coronavirus.
“The first of the principles is that the government, each one of us, the state must have a clear strategy for how to fight the virus; state structures, businesses, and civil society organizations must have their own plans.
The second very important principle is this: we must all be organized and disciplined, much more so than we have been until today. The main form of struggle is organized, disciplined relations. Since there is no medicine that can be used, there is a very clear form of struggle: to minimize human relations and direct contacts. Viral diseases can be overcome over time and across space. Certainly, this challenge is dangerous. Today, I am particularly concerned about the health of our elderly compatriots, because they are vulnerable, and also about those who, for one reason or another, have health problems. But I repeat: to overcome this, we need both a clear strategy, clear organization, and discipline. Especially now that a state of emergency has been declared. Therefore, there are rules that must be obeyed, and rules that must be observed — first and foremost, for your own health, for the health of your loved ones and of our entire society, of the people.
And finally, the third, which I think is very simple and profound: it is called responsibility, responsibility for all of us. To be responsible — starting from the President of the Republic, the government, the National Assembly, civil society organizations, to political organizations, businessmen, those who run the economy, each one of us… It is time for us not only to follow attentively the fight against the coronavirus, but also to analyze the global process,” he stated.
The President recalled that he had also discussed this matter with the Director-General of the World Health Organization. In conclusion, President Armen Sarkissian wished health, tranquility, and confidence to all, and expressed special gratitude to healthcare workers, doctors, nurses, and health administrators who are fulfilling their state, national, and human duty.
