In a letter to the nation's artists and entertainment industry professionals, Piotr Gliński said he hoped they would help promote methods of fighting the flu-like virus.
"Your fans are watching you, following your social media profiles and listening to your statements,” said Gliński, who also serves as a Polish deputy prime minister.
“I’m sure you will set an example of how we can meet the dramatic challenge we all confront with a sense of civic responsibility for our common future,” he added, as quoted by Poland’s PAP news agency.
Gliński also said that “great artists have played the role of spiritual guides at a time of trial” on many occasions throughout Poland’s difficult history.
He said in his letter that the government’s recent decision to suspend the work of cultural institutions for two weeks, though painful for the country’s creative arts community, was necessary “for the benefit of individual citizens and society as a whole.”
Poland’s government on Wednesday announced that all schools, universities, nurseries, cinemas, theatres and museums would be closed as the country stepped up efforts to contain the new SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Several Polish sports and showbiz celebrities including well-known singers Kayah and Cleo have urged fans to follow the recommendations of authorities and stay home amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Ninety-three people have tested positive for the coronavirus in Poland, with two deaths from the illness so far.
The first case of coronavirus infection was reported in Poland last week.
The World Health Organisation declared on Wednesday that the global coronavirus outbreak was a pandemic, voicing alarm over mounting infections worldwide and urging governments to step up containment efforts.
(gs)
Source: PAP