MINSK, 25 February (BelTA) – The Healthcare Ministry of Belarus has increased screening and quarantine measures due to the novel coronavirus COVID-19 spread in the European region and other countries of the world, BelTA learned from the press service of the ministry.
“Taking into account the continuing spread of coronavirus COVID-19 in the European region and other countries of the world, screening and quarantine measures have been increased since 25 February for people arriving from Italy. Additions have also been made to the national comprehensive plan of actions to prevent the entry and spread of coronavirus COVID-19. Additional measures are envisaged for people who come from countries placed on coronavirus lock down” the Healthcare Ministry said.
Security measures have been strengthened, and an additional sanitary and quarantine point has been set up at Minsk National Airport for laboratory tests.
The Healthcare Ministry and the Sport and Tourism Ministry of Belarus recommend Belarusian citizens to refrain from visiting the northern regions of Italy, where a virus quarantine has been declared.
So far medical screenings at the Belarusian state border were undertaken by more than 568,500 people, including about 1,100 persons who were in China in the previous 14 days. 27 people had symptoms of a respiratory infection. None of them tested positive for coronavirus.
“No COVID-19 cases have been reported in Belarus so far. The situation is under control of the Healthcare Ministry,” the press service said.
According to the ministry, 325 students from China have returned to Belarus. Some 141 of them are now under medical control at the sport recuperation center Brigantina and the Minsk Oblast rehabilitation center Zagorye. Medical control has been completed in respect to 184 students.
A total of 196 specialists from China have resumed work at the Belarusian National Biotechnology Corporation, 69 more at the China-Belarus industrial park Great Stone.
According to the National Health and Family Planning Commission of the People's Republic of China, as of 8.00 on 24 February there were 77,262 confirmed cases of the novel virus. The Chinese authorities are gradually taking the situation under control.
Over 2,100 cases of the new virus have been confirmed in 28 countries, including Australia, Germany, Canada, the United States, Russia, Sweden, the UK, and others.
