MINSK, 17 February (BelTA) – There is no need for widespread use of face masks in Belarus, Healthcare Minister Vladimir Karanik told journalists on 17 February, BelTA has learned.
“There are enough face masks in store. Belarus produces around 60,000 face masks a day. They are delivered to drugstores and medical supply stores. Moreover, the Belarusian light industry has resumed the production of multi-use face masks. By the end of February we will receive 1.6 million more masks from foreign partners. We have also signed agreements to import several more millions masks should the need arise,” Vladimir Karanik said. “However, at present there is no need for wide use of face masks,” he added.
Around 5,000 Chinese students are studying in Belarus. Due to the coronavirus outbreak, most of them did not go to China and did not leave Belarus during their vacations. “We are working together with the Education Ministry and all universities. We expect that students will continue returning till the second half of March. Vacations have been extended for a lot of Chinese students, some of them are getting individual training. Anyway, China is also keeping watch on this – all students who are leaving the country are subjected to quarantine measures. This way we are ensuring double control,” the minister noted.
Belarusians have no grounds for panic, Vladimir Karanik stressed. “The most effective means for preventing panic is informing. We do not try to conceal anything. We are as open as possible. This is the stance of the Healthcare Ministry, because lack of information breeds rumors and panic-driven thoughts. The ministry has a website where citizens can ask their questions, we also have accounts in social networks. If citizens have questions that are bothering them, they are welcome to ask the ministry about them directly. I can guarantee that all questions will receive objective and full answers,” he added.
Belarus has registered no cases of COVID-19. At the same time, on 30 January sanitary and epidemiological services, emergency medical aid services, polyclinics and hospitals were placed on a high alert. Belarusian healthcare facilities are ready to admit patients with suspected coronavirus and monitor people they have been in contact with.
The diagnostics laboratory of the Belarusian National Research and Practical Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology is working round-the-clock to carry out research and tests.
