Kochanova: Belarus' coronavirus strategy carefully crafted

“The World Conference of Speakers of Parliaments is taking place at a difficult time of the global crisis caused by the pandemic and its geopolitical and economic impact. Today, international peace and sustainable development can be ensured only by stopping the coronavirus pandemic, saving hundreds of thousands of lives. The theme of the conference is relevant for most countries. Belarus has carefully crafted the measures to combat the pandemic. Our country refrained from stopping the economy, introducing lockdowns and quarantine, taking into account their long-term negative impact on people's livelihoods and socio-economic development,” Natalya Kochanova said. “We have strengthened the system of the sanitary and epidemiological service and primary health facilities. At the government level, we set up an interdepartmental working group chaired by the deputy prime minister. All top-ranking government officials, including the speaker of the Council of the Republic, governors, keep these issues under control. Parliament and the government have passed regulations defining measures to prevent the importation and spread of COVID-19 and to treat COVID-19 patients."

Natalya Kochanova recalled that a presidential decree was issued to support the economy, to minimize the impact of the global epidemiological situation and the closure of borders on the Belarusian economy. A set of government measures was approved. The Belarusian authorities continue to implement measures to strengthen sanitary and epidemiological control, to improve the healthcare infrastructure, to raise the awareness of the infection among the population highlighting the importance of mask use and physical distancing.

“The government is focusing its efforts on vaccination. Healthcare, social workers and teachers have already been vaccinated. The inoculation program kicked off in April 2021. In July citizens of 73 foreign countries got the opportunity to visit Belarus visa-free to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Belarus' response to the pandemic has proved effective. We have found the balance, which let us preserve the viability of the state, first of all its economy, and, on the other hand, to ensure maximum protection of the population. Our approach was supported by the World Health Organization mission, which visited the country at the invitation of President Aleksandr Lukashenko. We believe that international cooperation, including through parliaments, aimed at sharing information and best practices and ensuring universal access to the vaccine, can play a major role in combating the pandemic,” the speaker stressed.

The Fifth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament “Parliamentary leadership for more effective multilateralism that delivers peace and sustainable development for the people and planet” is running in Vienna on 7-8 September under the aegis of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the United Nations and the Austrian Parliament. The Speakers of Parliament will focus on priorities that require urgent international parliamentary action including the global response to the pandemic and the post-COVID recovery, the climate emergency, countering misinformation, youth participation in politics and gender equality.