Press conference on #COVID-19 in the WHO European Region https://www.pscp.tv/w/cYuuizFwempNZ2VBcUxOUWR8MVlwS2tRWldSVmRKat6jJ5WmaESMApQrKS7wF4wmX6vYcZZrWAJQP8Z46paZ

Good morning. It is a pleasure to speak to you today. Taking the European Region as a whole, we are seeing an overall slowing of the pandemic. Despite the positive signs, this remains a time of sorrow for many. My thoughts are with you. @hans_kluge

As of today, there were 1.78 million confirmed cases, and 160,000 deaths in the Region, accounting for 43% of cases and 56% of deaths globally. @hans_kluge

The Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and Spain remain among the top 10 countries around the world reporting the most cases in the past 24 hours. @hans_kluge

Whilst the risk across all countries in the European Region remains very high, it is in the east of the European Region where we are seeing continued rising case counts. @hans_kluge

It is 16 weeks since we were notified of the first cases of novel coronavirus in the European Region. To check its exponential spread and buy our health systems precious time, countries introduced never-before seen restrictions on social interaction and individual movement.

Life as we knew it, was put on hold. For the elderly, for the young, for those losing income and jobs, for those with anxiety, for people in treatment, and for all of us, the burden has been heavy, and the future uncertain. @hans_kluge

Despite this, we have seen an incredible show of solidarity in the behavior of people and communities. @hans_kluge

Today, in the 39 countries that are easing restrictions in the European Region, our behaviour remains as important now as ever before. In short, our behaviour, our choices, determine where this road leads us, and where it ends. @hans_kluge

I have three messages today.

There’s no room for complacency – remain vigilant.
Authorities need to listen to their publics and adapt accordingly, in real-time.
Behave responsibly, we each shape the story of this pandemic.

@hans_kluge

So, to my first message today – We must remain vigilant.

Over the past week, clusters of new cases have emerged in places – Wuhan, and the Republic of Korea - where the virus had apparently disappeared. @hans_kluge

A timely reminder that the threat of virus resurgence is never far away. Vigilance and a continued determination to keep this virus at bay is needed as much during times of peak transmission as it is whilst restrictions are being eased. @hans_kluge

Until a vaccine or treatments are at hand for everyone, limiting the virus requires a partnership of people & policy-makers – a social contract that extends beyond any government official’s or leader’s ability to control. Vigilance is an all of society responsibility @hans_kluge

Which brings me to my second message – Governments and authorities should employ ways to listen to their populations, earn trust and plan their pandemic response measures informed by this. @hans_kluge

Situations change fast. Understanding how, why and the context in which people and communities respond to different pandemic response interventions helps inform government decisions, shape communications and guide the planning of measures. @hans_kluge

That’s why here at the WHO Regional Office for Europe we have launched a tool to conduct regular surveys, and listen to people’s needs and concerns in these #COVID19 times. @hans_kluge

20 countries are using this tool within our Region and at least 20 outside it. The results are revealing. @hans_kluge

Take Germany. The country has been conducting weekly surveys since early March. Findings indicate that concern about the economic consequences of the restrictions remains high. @hans_kluge

This is set against declining worry and perceived risk from the virus itself, and falling compliance with recommended behaviours. @hans_kluge

The social data generated by the surveys helped to improve services to support mental health during the crisis, to develop material for families and children, to develop the content of websites for the elderly…

… to provide content for young people and dating and to develop specific information on the right way of wearing, preserving and cleaning facial masks. @hans_kluge

In the Netherlands, the social survey found willingness to comply with quarantine and isolation was very high but that young males are the least willing to comply. @hans_kluge

The studies also reveal that Dutch children from disadvantaged backgrounds are hit harder by the school shutdown and should receive extra care when schools re-open. @hans_kluge

The UK government has established an advisory group, the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Behavioural Science and the UK’s Department of Health has conducted weekly surveys looking at attitudes and awareness, with input from behavioural and psychological scientists.

A host of institutions and centres across Europe have considered how behavioural science can help tackle #COVID19. @hans_kluge

Among them, the Economic and Social Research Institute in Ireland, that found that adherence to measures was most likely when there is clear and frequent communication, strong group identity, and social disapproval for those who don’t comply. @hans_kluge

This, of course, has implications for language, leadership and day-to-day social interaction that can make or break the success and impact of a government policy or measure. @hans_kluge

More countries are about to embark on regular surveys with WHO support, including Azerbaijan, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the Russian Federation and Ukraine; and as these countries move towards transition and adjusting pandemic measures…

…the insights gained will be highly valuable in informing decisions and ensuring these measures are appropriate. @hans_kluge

My third message is this – We each have a role to play in keeping the virus at bay. @hans_kluge

We are now at the fork in the road. This is the point at which our actions and individual behaviour determines which path we follow, one that sees us head towards a new normal, or one that sends us back to restrictions on our movement and social interactions. @hans_kluge

Emergency fatigue threatens the precious gains we have made against this virus. Reports of distrust in authorities and conspiracy thinking are fuelling movements against social and physical distancing. @hans_kluge