Opinions & Interviews

Lukashenko reveals Belarus’ coronavirus spending

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MINSK, 23 July (BelTA) –  Emergency spending measures to counter the coronavirus outbreak cost Belarus nearly half a billion rubles, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he hosted a meeting on 23 July to discuss the country’s economic performance, BelTA has learned.

“Belarusians should know that coronavirus measures have already cost the budget nearly half a billion rubles. These measures include additional spending on healthcare and support for the real economic sector. However, people are always more important than money,” the head of state said.

He noted that the Belarusian healthcare system handled the crisis well thanks to joint efforts. The number of coronavirus patients is reducing. “I do not mean those who were tested, but those who developed a disease. At the same time, the situation in the world gives no reason for optimism: nearly 15 million people worldwide have already contracted the virus. Some countries have reimposed restrictions. In other words, first they told people to stay at home, introduced curfews, then they let people out and faced another outbreak of the disease; after that they had to prohibit people to leave homes again,” the president noted.

Keeping this in mind, Aleksandr Lukashenko expressed support for healthcare workers who advised to spend vacations in Belarus this year in order to prevent another coronavirus outbreak. “I have already warned that we do not prohibit anything for anyone. You can go anywhere you want, but when you come back, you will have to observe a quarantine at your own expense and face all the consequences,” Aleksandr Lukashenko noted.

In his words, Belarus has created perfect conditions for tourism. “You just need to find out what Naroch, Braslav Lakes, Berezinsky Reserve, Belovezhskaya Pushcha are, visit the Dnieper, Pripyat, Neman, Sozh, to see Polesie. Amazing places. I am sure that next year when the world goes back to normalcy, half of vacationers will decide not to go abroad and will spend their vacations here. And it will cost less,” the president said.

“All conditions are in place for a fulfilling and safe vacation. Therefore, I recommend you to take care of yourself and your loved ones,” Aleksandr Lukashenko added.

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