MINSK, 12 March (BelTA) – There is no reason to panic about the situation with coronavirus COVID-19 in Belarus, President Aleksandr Lukashenko is convinced, BelTA informs.
This topic was on the agenda of the meeting with Healthcare Minister Vladimir Karanik. “I understand that we've managed to go through this period in a calm way. Of course, we have no reason for self-complacency. But there is also no reason to panic,” the Belarusian leader stressed.
According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, people should not make fuss of it and start buying up various drugs or face masks. “Some people ran to drugstores and bought up those things… And what's now? Now they realized that they had overreacted,” the head of state said.
The president said that face masks are being made at various Belarusian enterprises in big amounts at the moment. “Hundreds of thousands of masks are made daily. People can buy them if necessary,” he said.
According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, everybody has already understood from the explanations of the World Health Organization and doctors all over the world that face masks should be worn by infected people to stop spreading the virus to others. “But some people were too wary and started wearing those face masks and overalls. We don't mind. But there should be no superfluous movements, there should be no panic,” the Belarusian leader believed.
The president remarked that in spite of all concerns regarding the situation with coronavirus the morbidity rate in Belarus, including that of viral infections and flu, is below the rate of previous years.
Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized that in order to successfully stop the spread of viruses the healthcare system in any country should prioritize people rather than any commercial goals.
“Let's hope that everything will work out for the best. People must realize the importance of washing their hands and faces,” the head of state said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko advised those who fell ill or feel sick to try not to spread the infection to others and to take necessary precautions.
The president also expressed gratitude to China. “We need to thank China. They do not conceal anything from us, give advice. Because they know better, dealt with this problem more than anybody else, and their progress in better than the progress of anybody else. They help us a lot with their advice and recommendations. Thank you very much, China. But our doctors did a good job,” the head of state concluded.
