Belarus has almost got over the coronavirus infection, President Alyaksandr Lukashenka believes.
On July 2, he presented state awards to distinguished Belarusians, including health workers. During the ceremony, the Belarusian leader stressed that the country had demonstrated ‘political prudence’ and ‘people’s wisdom’.
“Healthcare workers are on the frontline fighting the coronavirus infection today. Our healthcare system did a good job. But we are keeping up the fight although we can say already that we have prevailed. After the final victory over COVID-19, we will meet with our doctors who are on the frontline today,” state-run news agency BelTA quotes Lukashenka.
Due to the decisions taken by the Belarusian authorities, the country’s economy and agriculture have been preserved during the pandemic, he added.
To date, the Belarusian Health Ministry has registered the total of 62,698 persons infected with the novel coronavirus. In the past 24 hours, 274 new cases have been confirmed. For the entire period of the spread of the infection in the country, 405 patients who were previously tested positive for the coronavirus have died.
As reported earlier, even on the back of the increasing infection rate, the Belarusian authorities did not introduce any quarantine measures. Alyaksandr Lukashenka claimed that imposing a nationwide lockdown would not improve the situation in Belarus. In his opinion, such steps might deal a crippling blow to the daily life of the nation. Although the Belarusian leader admitted that the recommendations by the WHO should be studied in detail, he stressed the country would run its own course.
Since COVID-19 started to spread in Europe, the Belarusian leader has repeatedly hit the international headlines due his careless attitude to the outbreak. In mid March, he shared with the newly appointed officials his own ways of fighting infections, including the novel coronavirus. He advised going to a dry sauna, claiming that the virus dies at 60 degrees; more frequent handwashing, regular diet, and… drinking some vodka are also on his list. Later, he called the situation ‘psychosis and foolishness’.
The Belarusian president also decided against cancelling a Victory parade in Minsk although the World Health Organisation and other experts had warned that organising mass events in a current epidemiological situation might result in its deterioration. On May 9, the event was attended by about 15,000 spectators.
