Opinions & Interviews

Lukashenko: Coronavirus will not make China an outcast

Aleksandr Lukashenko

DOBRUSH, 4 February (BelTA) – The coronavirus situation will not make China an outcast. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the statement while talking to reporters in Dobrush, Gomel Oblast on 4 February, BelTA has learned.

Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “We should be concerned. But only in one aspect: wash your hands and hug fewer strangers in the street. I refer to personal hygiene. Let the Healthcare Ministry take care of the rest. If we don’t shout much like some countries do, it still doesn’t mean we are not dealing with the problem.”

The president pointed out that he does not want to diminish the importance of the new virus, but many companies are trying to exploit and profit from the situation. “Don’t scare people. We’ve had so many viruses like that already,” the Belarusian leader noted. “There is no need to shout. Just keep working calmly.”

“If someone wants to close the border, they may do it. We are not going to terminate our relations with China. But Chinese citizens and our people coming from China – we’ve informed the ambassador about it – will be examined in the airport and subjected to quarantine. We have enough specialists for that. And we’ve offered our aid to China. I didn’t come up with the idea. Specialists led by the minister approached me and said: if Xi Jinping needs any assistance from us or our specialists, we are ready to go,” the head of state said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko added that on the whole, it is necessary to more calmly respond to the situation.

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