I Am Fully Informed and Not One Mistake Has Been Made Up to Now

“In the past few days I have refrained from making any statements and comments on this topic. Despite the fact that this is a political issue, it is such so technical and delicate that there is no agreement even among the experts. There is no harmony in opinions, however I feel it is my duty to say something on the subject. I am in contact with the Prime Minister and his Deputy Minister who is at the head of the Civil Protection Directorate, I am informed about everything that is going on and not one mistake has been made up to now”, the President of the Republic Zoran MIlanović said in his statement on the current situation related to the coronavirus epidemic (COVID-19).

He announced that he will continue to follow developments, noting that the approach to this problem varies from country to country, regardless of the level of development of their economy, tradition and culture, epidemiology and public health. “In this entire, currently unpleasant, and I hope not too unhappy story, there is a factor of luck. Because, when we see what is happening in northern Italy, and I’m afraid that we will never find out what actually happened, where the first oversight was, when we see what happened in a country that is so developed, rich and that has such a tradition, then we see that the factor of luck is very important. But equally important are continuous efforts and analyses”, said President Milanović.

Commenting on the decision of the Government of the Republic of Croatia to shut down schools and universities, President Milanović said that the decision is good and timely. “You have no clear example to follow, you have to take responsibility. This is the Croatian approach, it is in force since yesterday and I believe that it a logical step”, the President noted.

Furthermore, President Milanović underlined the importance of social distancing in this situation. As individuals, we have to keep our distance from one another, although we are not used to living like that, and added that in the next two weeks people will have to withdraw to their families, socialize less and communicate less with others and with strangers. In replying to the question whether there is a danger that the situation will turn to hysteria, President Milanović said – no. He cautioned that we can hear all sorts of stuff, that people will be influenced by what they hear, but that social distancing is important as well as fewer contacts. “By working, I think that we can be hopeful that the epidemic will peak and start to fall”, the President concluded.