Opinions & Interviews

Lukashenko calls on Belarusians not to panic over coronavirus

SMOLEVICHI DISTRICT, 3 April (BelTA) – During his working trip to Smolevichi District on 3 April, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko called on Belarusians not to panic over the coronavirus, BelTA has learned.

According to the president, the most dangerous thing about the infection is panic. ‘The coronavirus psychosis’ will have a lot of damaging consequences. “People are driven up the wall by this psychosis. All this comes crashing down on them every day, they are worried about catching something, about kids. People have started to go crazy. I am sure that the number of suicides has grown in the world. This is what the consequences of this psychosis will be. To say nothing of the economy,” he said.

In view of this, Aleksandr Lukashenko urged people not to panic and stressed that Belarus is taking all the necessary measures. “We know what to do,”the head of state said. “We will continue doing what we are doing now. The most important thing – and WHO does not deny it – is not to fight it indiscriminately, but to pinpoint the source. Just as I said: if you identify a case – test them, if it is coronavirus – treat them,” he added.

The president expressed hope that the situation will not spiral out of control. According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, the country continues to keep an eye on the Belarusian border, identifying infected people. Special attention is paid to seniors as the country is trying to limit their contacts. Medical facilities are supplied with protective equipment, enterprises in all regions have launched the production of face masks. “We are taking all precautionary measures,” the president said. “But I tell doctors: you must not forget that apart from these viruses, which you will blame for everything in the future, you must treat patients with cancer, cardiovascular diseases, simple pneumonia, and other conditions,” the president added.

Early next week, Aleksandr Lukashenko intends to hold a meeting to discuss the epidemiological situation in Belarus in the first quarter. “We are currently collecting data about the number of deaths from all civil registry offices as they keep tabs on it. They have the most accurate data,” he noted.

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