Dili, April 12^th, 2021 – His Excellency the Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak, is monitoring the situation at the Isolation Room for COVID-19 patients in Vera Cruz, following the case of a patient who was confirmed positive with COVID-19, who died during the night and whose burial, in the cemetery prepared for COVID-19 cases in Metinaro, according to health protocols, the former President of the Republic and former Prime Minister, Xanana Gusmão, has been preventing.

With this situation, a negative feeling towards the health professionals was created. People started not believing in the existence of COVID-19, they stoned ambulances, and, worse, they stopped believing in the health professionals. Regarding this situation, the Head of Government encouraged doctors and all frontline teams to remain steadfast in their work, not fear external pressures and continue to fight against COVID-19 because the Government and the State will always stand by them.

“I regret today’s situation in Vera Cruz. This should not have happened. I heard that some people started stoning the ambulance and the frontline technicians. This attitude does not help to fight this disease in our country”.

“As Prime Minister, I would like to express my solidarity and support to the health professionals and all the frontline teams in the Situation Room. Courage and keep working! You are not alone! The Government and the State are by your side”, said Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak. END/M-PMO