Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ televised address to the nation, on Sunday, March 22nd, as he announces the nation’s most restrictive measures yet.
My fellow citizens,
Just a few moments ago, I instructed the relevant ministers to proceed with the necessary actions, so that as of 6 AM on Monday, March 23rd, so from tomorrow, a ban of any unnecessary movement and movement of citizens across the country will go into effect.
This may be, the final step of an organized Democratic State. Which, though, must be taken in time, so that it is not in vein. Because time is no longer calculated in days, but in hours. And bold and immediate initiatives are demanded of us.
Our Constitution says that the State must “take care of Citizens’ Health” and intervene when the exercise of personal freedoms takes over its constitutional purpose and threatens society.
And when the response of one is proven deficient, then the public interest must be ensured. In the name of the collective good, then, I am proceeding with today’s decision: To protect our Health and all that we have accomplished thus far in this area. I have already informed the President of the Hellenic Republic and the leaders of the opposition parties of my decision.
So, from tomorrow morning, the only ones allowed on the road will be those going to and from their work. Those traveling to get food and medicine. Those visiting a doctor or a person who needs care. And, those exercising alone or in pairs or accompanying their pet. Finally, the one-time transfer to their permanent residence for those in urban centers.
Whoever is outside must have their ID or passport on their person. And the purpose for the movement will be authenticated: Either with a document from the employer – if you are an employee – or with a solemn declaration for the self-employed. Steps have already been taken for the simple and citizen-friendly retrieval of said declarations through the internet or through a text message or even by completing it by hand.
Finally, the authorities responsible for ensuring the implementation of this measure are Greek Police, Municipal Police, the Coast Guard and the Hellenic National Transparency Agency. All violators will receive a 150 Euro fine per violation.
The following are exempt from these measures, obviously members of the government and the Parliament, State employees and all members of Health services, Civil Protection, Security Forces and the Armed Forces. More details will be presented soon by the relevant ministers.
My compatriots,
In Italy, unfortunately, one person is lost every two minutes. And the situation is worsening throughout the world. I owe, therefore, not to allow such a trial to overtake our country. We cannot reach the point where we are choosing who will live and who will die. My choice is only one: the life and health of Greeks!
I thank the vast majority of citizens who understood the threat and stay home. By deserting the streets and squares, we exile danger. And by staying home, we turn them into fortresses for life.
I will not allow, however, a few frivolous individuals to undermine the safety of many. Because the few irresponsible can hurt thousands of responsible citizens. So, as difficult times are reaching this battle, we must close the backdoor to evil. And this is the objective of tomorrow’s movement restrictions.
From the first moment of this health crisis, the government has informed citizens honestly. Has organized the medical infrastructure for the country, moving forward with hiring additional nursing staff, but also in supplies of difficult to find medical equipment. It restructured the Public sector’s services.
And, in just a few days, announced three brave measures for the support of the labor force and businesses. All this, while securing – at the same time – our borders and the borders of Europe. The State has, therefore, shown that it was and is present everywhere.
Now, though, it is the time, more than ever, when the individual identifies with the collective: Now is the time of the citizen!
Coronavirus does not recognize borders or nations, income or social groups. It threatens people, whoever they may be, wherever they may live. Across from him, we are all equal.
Only some are more vulnerable. Grandfathers, grandmothers, our parents. Our fellow citizens with chronic diseases, who in the midst of a crisis, must find refuge in the National Health System. Greeks have not stopped falling ill from other illnesses as well. And we must care for them as well.
Yesterday, Professor Tsiordas, with a lump in his throat, spoke of the responsibility of the young towards their elders. Let this emotional response by a human being who is lifting this immense weight with a clear mind and absolute dignity, be a wake-up call.
Now is the time that we all stand up for ourselves, rewrite a new social contract. With the first commitment to breaking the chain of the virus transmission: each one of us must cease to be a transmission link to the person next to us.
My fellow citizens,
The government is upholding its duties, caring and reaching all corners of our land. However, I will repeat: The greatest weapon against this invisible enemy is our personal behavior: We do not move without cause. We stay home. We shouldn’t offend with our behavior, those who are fighting at our hospitals night and day for our own health.
Because staying at home, staying in our core area, is a highly democratic slogan of collective responsibility. It is not a limitation. But a declaration of respect to all of us.
This is how we will prove that our social fabric is compact and has a conscience. And that together we are carrying the weight of our nation. We will have to enlist all of our reservoirs of strength and patience so that we can overcome this crisis.
I would like to close with the words of American President, Theodore Roosevelt, which are apt, I believe, for those fighting against a threat and being called to do much more in these coming days, “The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause.”
On behalf of the Greek women and the Greek men, I thank them. And I call on all of you to show them our gratitude through our daily stance. Because individual desires must subside to the collective will, the nation falls on all our hands. We are all Greece. Let us protect her, then! So that we can meet tomorrow healthier, stronger and more optimistic.
We do not move. We stay united, united response to the pandemic.
