President George Vella has urged the public to keep hope alive and to pull the same rope, in a message to the nation on the Covid-19 pandemic.

As is happening everywhere across the globe, the pandemic is rearing its head again, with numbers increasing, the President said.  

This is happening despite the measures put in place by the health authorities. “The situation in Malta is worrying and is leading to anxiety across all sectors of society.”

The President said he has been closely following the pandemic and is keeping updated on the impact it is having on our physical and mental health and on all social and economic aspects.

“Such a situation should lead us to pull the same rope and we should all offer our cooperation across all levels.”

While it is good to constructively criticise any shortcomings and recommend good practices that led to positive results in other cuntries, the President feels that nothing should hinder collective efforts in the fight against the virus.

The President said he is aware of the sacrifices being made by the general public, by healthcare personnel and those caring for patients affected by the virus.

He said he also appreciates the work being carried out by carers at homes for the elderly, as well as teachers and other educators.

President Vella said he is particularly concerned about the vulnberable, including the elderly, who has seen their lives turned upside down since the start of the pandemic.

He also noted the positive changes with relation to the burial of Covid-19 victims and paid tribute to all who died as a result of the Coronavirus. He also expressed solidarity with the relatives of the deceased.

He appealed to people to look after their mental wellbeing and to obey the instructions given by the health authorities.

“Above all else, we need to keep a sense of hope alive and look forward to a future that takes us back to normality.”

He appealed to people to renew their determination to fight this threat by keeping in mind that a vaccine could be made available in the near future.

He also augured that the authorities find a delicate balance between public health and economic prosperity.