President Armen Sarkissian's Statement on the Coronavirus Situation

The President of Armenia, Armen Sarkissian, welcomed the government's decision to declare a state of emergency, considering that Armenia is facing a very serious challenge. This was reported by the Public Relations Department of the Office of the President of the Republic of Armenia.

“This challenge is not only ours; it is a global one. The challenge, in terms of its nature as a virus, is not new, but the world is new. Therefore, the virus is spreading very rapidly and much more intensively in today's world. The ways of fighting are different. As we know, various countries are fighting the virus in different ways. I believe we need to study the successful and unsuccessful experiences of all countries clearly. However, when fighting such a challenge, there are principles that are essential.

The first principle is that the government, each of us, and the state must have a clear strategy on how to combat the virus; state agencies, businesses, and NGOs must have their programs. The second very important principle is that we all need to be organized and disciplined, much more than we have been until now. The main form of the fight is organized and disciplined relationships. Since there is no antivirus, no medicine that can be used, there is a very clear way to fight: minimize human contact. Viral diseases can be overcome over time, in space, and in a specific location. Of course, this challenge is dangerous. Today, I am particularly concerned about the health of our elderly compatriots, as they are vulnerable, and also for those who have health issues for various reasons.

However, I repeat: to overcome this challenge, we need both a clear strategy and clear organization, as well as discipline. Especially now that a state of emergency has been declared. Therefore, there are rules that must be followed, and rules that must be adhered to—for your own health, the health of your loved ones, and for the health of our entire society and people.

And finally, the third principle, which I think is very simple yet profound: it is called responsibility, responsibility for all of us. Being responsible starts from the President of the Republic, the government, the National Assembly, NGOs, political organizations, entrepreneurs, those managing the economy, and each of us… It is time for us not only to closely follow the fight against the coronavirus but also to analyze the global course.

The other day, I had a long conversation with the Director-General of the World Health Organization, with whom I had already spoken about this a month ago. This second conversation dealt with a very simple fact: that despite the fact that the coronavirus has not yet taken on large-scale proportions in Armenia, we are in a very sensitive region, there are risks of the spread of the infection, we need support. I want to inform you that I have invited the Director-General of WHO to Armenia, and he has accepted the invitation. I believe his visit, together with his colleagues, will be very useful.

Today, I had a conversation with the President of Italy. Everyone's experience is crucial for us. Each country must determine its own strategy.

Dear compatriots, I want to wish each of you health, calmness, and confidence that we will overcome this challenge together, helping each other, with a strong sense of responsibility.

I would especially like to thank the healthcare workers, doctors, nurses, and health organizers; many lives of our compatriots are in your hands, and I am confident that you will perform your state, national, and humane duty with very high quality and at a high level,” said the President of the Republic of Armenia, Armen Sarkissian.