SOCHI, 14 September (BelTA) – The second coronavirus wave in Europe may be stronger than the first one. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the relevant statement during negotiations with President of Russia Vladimir Putin in Sochi on 14 September, BelTA has learned.
Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “As for the coronavirus, I am grateful to you. We appreciate deeply the fact that Belarus is the first country to receive your vaccine [the sides previously agreed that Belarus will be the first country to receive the vaccine Russia develops]. You see what is going on in Europe. A strong second wave has definitely begun. I am afraid it will be stronger than the first one. I already see these trends. We are tracking them.”
Yet Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that no upsurge in coronavirus cases had been registered in Belarus unlike in a number of European countries. “It doesn't mean we sit idle. We are very seriously preparing to avoid this wave. I am reassured by the fact that our specialists and scientists have noted that the virus is different now. But I am afraid this virus will team up with various flu strains that roam the area. This is why you and I should not relax,” he stated.
In his opening remarks Vladimir Putin also mentioned the fight against the coronavirus. “As our prime ministers agreed and as our healthcare ministers agreed later on, Belarus will be the first country to receive our vaccine against COVID-19 and has already started taking part in the final stage of the vaccine trials. I think it will allow us to not only start manufacturing it but provide a level of vaccination and fight against the disease that our citizens, their safety need,” the Russian leader said.
