"Siami tutti italiani" -- we're all Italians -- European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said in a video message of support on Wednesday, as Italy tackled its coronavirus epidemic with a nationwide shutdown. The post, on the Commission's official Twitter feed, came a day after von der Leyen announced a package of measures to support Europe's economy during the crisis. The Commission has also signalled it is willing to loosen its financial rules on debt and deficits in member states to let them try to mitigate the fall-out. In her video, von der Leyen, speaking Italian, says that "in such a very difficult moment I want to tell you that the fight against the virus is not yours alone". Her message of solidarity echoed exhortations she and other EU officials have made for the bloc to show solidarity in the bid to slow the virus's spread. But moves by Germany and the Czech Republic to restrict exports of badly needed face-masks and respirators have been criticised, as have decisions by Austria, Slovenia and Malta to prevent the entry of Italians. rmb/dc/har