COVID-19 pandemic in Belarus
The COVID-19 pandemic in Belarus is part of the ongoing worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The virus was confirmed to have spread to Belarus, when the first case of COVID-19 in the country was registered in Minsk on 28 February 2020.[1]
| COVID-19 pandemic in Belarus | |
|---|---|
 Number of confirmed cases by region (as of 20 April):
>2000 confirmed cases
1000–1999 confirmed cases
500–999 confirmed cases
200–499 confirmed cases
1–199 confirmed cases | |
| Disease | COVID-19 |
| Virus strain | SARS-CoV-2 |
| Location | Belarus |
| First outbreak | Wuhan, China |
| Index case | Minsk |
| Arrival date | 28 February 2020 (4 months and 2 days ago) |
| Confirmed cases | 61,790 |
| Recovered | 45,213 |
Deaths | 387 |
Background
On 12 January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that a novel coronavirus was the cause of a respiratory illness in a cluster of people in Wuhan City, Hubei, China, which was reported to the WHO on 31 December 2019.[2][3]
The case fatality ratio for COVID-19 has been much lower than SARS of 2003,[4][5] but the transmission has been significantly greater, with a significant death toll.[6][4]
Timeline
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February–March 2020
| February–March 2020 |
|---|
| On 28 February, Belarus confirmed its first case. A student from Iran tested positive on 27 February and was admitted to a hospital in Minsk.[7][1] The individual arrived in Belarus via a flight from Baku, Azerbaijan, on 22 February.[7][8]
As of 3 March, there were 4 confirmed cases in Belarus.[9] On 4 March, the Ministry of Health of Belarus confirmed 6 new cases of the disease: 4 cases in Minsk, 2 cases in Vitebsk.[10] On 13 March, 27 cases were confirmed in Grodno, Gomel, Minsk, Vitebsk, and Minsk Region, including 5 students from the Faculty of International Relations of Belarusian State University.[11] Three patients were discharged from hospitals.[12][13] On 16 March, the health ministry stated that the number of confirmed cases reached 36.[14] No new laboratory confirmed cases were reported on 17 March.[15] As of 18 March, a total of 51 confirmed cases have been registered, including 5 recoveries and 37 cases of asymptomatic infection course.[16][17] As of 20 March, 69 cases have been registered, including 15 recoveries and 42 cases of asymptomatic infection course.[18][19] As of 21 March, a total of 76 confirmed cases have been reported.[20] As of 23 March, 81 confirmed cases have been reported, including 22 recoveries. According to the official data, more than 21,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus since 23 January.[21][22] As of 25 March, a total of 86 confirmed cases have been reported, including 29 recoveries.[23] As of 27 March, a total of 94 confirmed cases have been reported, including 32 recoveries.[24] As of 30 March, a total of 152 confirmed cases have been reported, including 47 recoveries. More than 30,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted to date since 23 January.[25] On 31 March, an officially unconfirmed death of a test-positive 75 years old patient in Vitebsk was reported by the media. Reportedly, the patient suffered from a chronic pulmonary disease.[26][27][28] Later that day, the first case of death due to COVID-19 was confirmed by the Ministry of Health of Belarus.[29] |
April 2020
| April 2020 |
|---|
| On 1 April, the second death of an elderly COVID-19 patient with chronic diseases was reported by the Ministry of Health. According to the report, as of 1 April 2020, there were 163 COVID-19 cases registered in Belarus, including 2 deaths and at least 47 recoveries.[30] However, the ambiguity of the latest government reports has led to unofficial counting attempts, based on the official data, according to which the actual number of COVID-19 cases in Belarus could be as high as 217.[31] On that same day, the first COVID-19 case in Brest Region was reported by the officials.[32]
On 2 April, the Ministry of Health of Belarus reported a total of 304 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 254 active cases, 46 recoveries and 4 deaths. According to the report, 11 patents require assisted ventilation and 9,299 people remain under medical observation as first- and second-level contacts.[33] On 3 April, during a briefing of Ministry of Health officials for the press, a total of 351 confirmed cases were reported, including 190 in Minsk, 89 in Vitebsk Region, 50 in Minsk Region, 13 in Gomel Region, 6 in Grodno Region, 2 in Mogilev Region and 1 in Brest Region. According to the officials, the majority of the COVID-19 patients are in 25 to 64 years old range.[34] On 4 April, a total of 440 confirmed cases have been reported, including 41 recoveries and 5 deaths. According to the media, the declining number of recoveries is due to changes in the counting methodology used by the officials: prior to 30 March, both discharged and "preparing to be discharged" patients were reported as recovered; after the 30 March, only the discharged patients are counted as recovered.[35] On 5 April, a total of 562 confirmed cases have been reported, including 52 recoveries and 8 deaths.[36][37] On 6 April, a total of 700 confirmed cases have been reported, including 53 recoveries and 13 deaths. As of 6 April, more than 40,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus.[38] On 7 April, a total of 861 confirmed cases have been reported, including 54 recoveries and 13 deaths. Also, an update on epidemiological situation in the regions have been issued by the Ministry of Health: as of 7 April, there are 497 hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Minsk, 91 in Minsk Region, 143 in Vitebsk Region, 32 in Gomel Region, 18 in Mogilev Region, 10 in Grodno Region and 3 in Brest Region. Vitebsk Region and Minsk are leading the deaths statistics with 5 death cases registered in each, as well as the recoveries statistics with 27 and 25 recoveries, respectively.[39] 31 COVID-19 patients require assisted ventilation as of date.[40] On 8 April, a total of 1,066 confirmed cases have been reported, including 77 recoveries and 13 deaths. 33 COVID-19 patients require assisted ventilation as of date. An update on regional statistics has been issued, as well: 601 confirmed cases, 45 recoveries and 5 deaths in Minsk, 200/30/5 in Vitebsk Region, 104/1/3 in Minsk Region, 32/0/1 in Gomel Region, 25/0/0 in Mogilev Region, 11/0/0 in Grodno Region, 3/0/0 in Brest Region. More than 46,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus since 23 January.[41] On 9 April, a total of 1,486 confirmed cases have been reported, including 139 recoveries and 16 deaths. 1,331 patients remain in hospitals as of date (55 require assisted ventilation); more than 49,000 COVID-19 test have been conducted in Belarus since 23 January. Updated regional statistics (confirmed cases/recoveries/deaths): 699/102/6 in Minsk, 364/35/7 in Vitebsk Region, 153/1/3 in Minsk Region, 35/1/0 in Gomel Region, 35/0/0 in Mogilev Region, 28/0/0 in Grodno Region, 17/0/0 in Brest Region.[42] On 10 April, a total of 1,981 confirmed cases have been reported, including 169 recoveries and 19 deaths. 1,793 patients remain in hospitals as of date with 72 requiring assisted ventilation. Death cases of medical workers have also been registered, however, the precise number of such as well as the number of infected medical workers have not been given.[43] On 11 April, a total of 2,226 confirmed cases have been reported, including 172 recoveries and 23 deaths. 2,031 patients remain in hospitals as of date with 52 requiring assisted ventilation.[44] According to the official data, as of 11 April 301 medical workers have contracted the disease.[45] On 12 April, a total of 2,578 confirmed cases have been reported, including 203 recoveries and 26 deaths; 50 patients require assisted ventilation. More than 64,000 COVID-19 test have been conducted as of date.[46] On 13 April, a total of 2,919 confirmed cases have been reported, including 203 recoveries and 29 deaths; 55 patients require assisted ventilation. More than 68,000 COVID-19 test have been conducted as of date.[47] On 14 April, a total of 3,281 confirmed cases have been reported, including 33 deaths; the number of recoveries have not been given. As of date, 2,444 COVID-19 patients remain in hospitals, with 57 requiring assisted ventilation. More than 71,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus.[48] According to the official update on regional statistics, as of 14 April, 1,691 COVID-19 cases have been registered in Minsk, 848 in Vitebsk Region, 359 in Minsk Region, 151 in Mogilev Region, 106 in Gomel Region, 73 in Brest Region and 53 in Grodno Region.[49] On 15 April, a total of 3,728 confirmed cases have been reported, including 36 deaths; the number of recoveries have not been given. 68 patients require assisted ventilation. More than 76,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[50] On 16 April, a total of 4,204 confirmed cases have been reported, including 40 deaths; the number of recoveries have not been given. 65 patients require assisted ventilation. More than 81,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[51] On 17 April, a total of 4,779 confirmed cases have been reported, including 342 recoveries and 42 deaths. More than 86,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[52] According to the official update on regional statistics, as of 17 April, 2,308 COVID-19 cases have been registered in Minsk, 1,282 in Vitebsk Region, 588 in Minsk Region, 217 in Mogilev Region, 193 in Gomel Region, 112 in Brest Region and 79 in Grodno Region.[53] On 18 April, the Ministry of Health of Belarus has not reported the total number of confirmed cases; 3,282 COVID-19 patients remain in hospitals and 45 died since the beginning of the pandemic. According to the media, the new official statistics on COVID-19 patients is likely to not count the ambulatory cases. More than 92,000 COVID-19 test have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[54][55] On 19 April, a total of 3,538 currently hospitalized patients (i.e. excluding the ambulatory cases) have been reported by the Ministry of Health; 47 patients died since the beginning of the pandemic and 494 recovered. The total number of confirmed cases have not been given. More than 98,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[56] On 20 April, a total of 6,264 confirmed cases have been reported, including 514 recoveries and 51 deaths. The confirmed cases gain for 18 and 19 April have been given: 518 and 510 cases, respectively. Update on the regional statistics have been issued: 3,023 COVID-19 cases have been registered in Minsk, 1,504 in Vitebsk Region, 789 in Minsk Region, 322 in Gomel Region, 265 in Mogilev Region, 185 in Brest Region and 176 in Grodno Region. More than 102,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[57][58] On 21 April, a total of 6,723 confirmed cases have been reported, including 577 recoveries and 55 deaths. More than 108,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[59] On 22 April, a total of 7,281 confirmed cases have been reported, including 769 recoveries and 58 deaths. More than 114,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[60] On 23 April, a total of 8,022 confirmed cases have been reported, including 938 recoveries and 60 deaths. More than 122,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[61] On 24 April, a total of 8,773 confirmed cases have been reported, including 1120 recoveries and 63 deaths; 114 patients require assisted ventilation. More than 130,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date. According to the update on regional statistics, 4,090 COVID-19 cases have been registered in Minsk, 1,935 in Vitebsk Region, 1,206 in Minsk Region, 460 in Gomel Region, 396 in Mogilev Region, 347 in Grodno Region and 339 in Brest Region.[62] On 25 April, a total of 9,590 confirmed cases have been reported, including 1,573 recoveries and 67 deaths. More than 139,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[63] On 26 April, a total of 10,463 confirmed cases have been reported, including 1,695 recoveries and 72 deaths. More than 147,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[64] On 27 April, a total of 11,289 confirmed cases have been reported, including 1,740 recoveries and 75 deaths. More than 153,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[65] On 28 April, a total of 12,208 confirmed cases have been reported, including 1,993 recoveries and 79 deaths. More than 161,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[66] On 29 April, a total of 13,181 confirmed cases have been reported, including 2,072 recoveries and 85 deaths. More than 168,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[67] On 30 April, a total of 14,027 confirmed cases have been reported, including 2,386 recoveries and 89 deaths. More than 176,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[68] |
May 2020
| May 2020 |
|---|
| On 1 May, a total of 14,917 confirmed cases have been reported, including 2,918 recoveries and 93 deaths. More than 186,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[69]
On 2 May, a total of 15,828 confirmed cases have been reported, including 3,117 recoveries and 97 deaths. More than 195,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[70] On 3 May, a total of 16,705 confirmed cases have been reported, including 3,196 recoveries and 99 deaths. More than 204,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[71] On 4 May, a total of 17,489 confirmed cases have been reported, including 3,259 recoveries and 103 deaths. More than 211,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[72] On 5 May, a total of 18,350 confirmed cases have been reported, including 3,771 recoveries and 107 deaths; 225 COVID-19 patients require assisted ventilation.[73] On 6 May, a total of 19,255 confirmed cases have been reported, including 4,388 recoveries and 112 deaths. More than 220,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[74] On 7 May, a total of 20,168 confirmed cases have been reported, including 5,067 recoveries and 116 deaths. More than 229,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[75] On 8 May, a total of 21,101 confirmed cases have been reported, including 5,484 recoveries and 121 deaths. More than 240,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[76] On 9 May, a total of 22,052 confirmed cases have been reported, including 6,050 recoveries and 126 deaths. More than 251,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[77] On 10 May, a total of 22,973 confirmed cases have been reported, including 6,406 recoveries and 131 deaths. More than 263,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[78] On 11 May, a total of 23,906 confirmed cases have been reported, including 6,531 recoveries and 135 deaths. More than 274,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[79] According to the 11 May BelTA publication, 100,000 rapid diagnostic COVID-19 tests from China had been received by Belarus on 9 May, with another batch expected to be delivered in the coming week. Reportedly, the tests were purchased with the funds donated to the Belarusian Ministry of Health by the public, and their initial use is to be limited to healthcare institutions until the reception of the next batch, after which the tests are to become available to the general public.[80] On 12 May, a total of 24,873 confirmed cases have been reported, including 6,974 recoveries and 142 deaths. More than 284,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[81] On 13 May, a total of 25,825 confirmed cases have been reported, including 7,711 recoveries and 146 deaths. More than 296,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[82] On 14 May, a total of 26,772 confirmed cases have been reported, including 8,168 recoveries and 151 deaths. More than 308,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[83] On 15 May, a total of 27,730 confirmed cases have been reported, including 8,807 recoveries and 156 deaths. More than 321,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[84] On 16 May, a total of 28,681 confirmed cases have been reported, including 9,498 recoveries and 160 deaths. More than 335,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[85] On 17 May, a total of 29,650 confirmed cases have been reported, including 9,932 recoveries and 165 deaths. More than 350,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[86] On 18 May, a total of 30,572 confirmed cases have been reported, including 10,130 recoveries and 171 deaths. More than 364,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[87] On 19 May, a total of 31,508 confirmed cases have been reported, including 10,620 recoveries and 175 deaths. More than 375,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[88] On 20 May, a total of 32,426 confirmed cases have been reported, including 11,415 recoveries and 179 deaths. More than 387,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[89] On 21 May, a total of 33,371 confirmed cases have been reported, including 12,057 recoveries and 185 deaths. More than 403,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[90] On 22 May, a total of 34,303 confirmed cases have been reported, including 12,833 recoveries and 190 deaths. More than 419,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[91] On 23 May, a total of 35,244 confirmed cases have been reported, including 13,528 recoveries and 194 deaths. More than 434,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[92] On 24 May, a total of 36,198 confirmed cases have been reported, including 14,155 recoveries and 199 deaths. More than 450,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[93] On 25 May, a total of 37,144 confirmed cases have been reported, including 14,449 recoveries and 204 deaths. More than 463,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[94] On 26 May, a total of 38,059 confirmed cases have been reported, including 15,086 recoveries and 208 deaths. More than 472,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[95] On 27 May, a total of 38,956 confirmed cases have been reported, including 15,923 recoveries and 214 deaths. More than 485,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[96] On 28 May, a total of 39,858 confirmed cases have been reported, including 16,660 recoveries and 219 deaths. More than 499,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[97] On 29 May, a total of 40,764 confirmed cases have been reported, including 17,390 recoveries and 224 deaths. More than 512,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[98] On 30 May, a total of 41,658 confirmed cases have been reported, including 17,964 recoveries and 229 deaths. More than 526,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[99] On 31 May, a total of 42,556 confirmed cases have been reported, including 18,514 recoveries and 335 deaths. More than 541,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[100] |
June 2020
| June 2020 |
|---|
| On 1 June, a total of 43,403 confirmed cases have been reported, including 18,776 recoveries and 240 deaths. More than 553,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[101] According to the 1 June Ministry of Health briefing, 3600 Belarusian children have been diagnosed with COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic, with 95% of the cases being asymptomatic; 62 healthy children, including 2 twins, have been born to mothers infected with COVID-19.[102]
On 2 June, a total of 44,255 confirmed cases have been reported, including 19,195 recoveries and 243 deaths. More than 562,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[103] On 3 June, a total of 45,116 confirmed cases have been reported, including 20,171 recoveries and 248 deaths. More than 573,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date. According to the official data, this is the first time the amount of daily recoveries exceeded the amount of daily new cases since the beginning of the pandemic (976 and 861, respectively).[104] On 4 June, a total of 45,981 confirmed cases have been reported, including 21,162 recoveries and 253 deaths. More than 585,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[105] On 5 June, a total of 46,868 confirmed cases have been reported, including 22,066 recoveries and 259 deaths. More than 597,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[106] According to the 5 June Ministry of Health report, COVID-19 incidence in Minsk, Vitebsk and Vitebsk Region has shown decline.[107] On 6 June, a total of 47,751 confirmed cases have been reported, including 23,015 recoveries and 263 deaths. More than 609,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[108] On 7 June, a total of 48,630 confirmed cases have been reported, including 23,647 recoveries and 269 deaths. More than 622,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[109] On 8 June, a total of 49,453 confirmed cases have been reported, including 23,880 recoveries and 276 deaths. More than 632,000 COVOD-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[110] On 9 June, a total of 50,265 confirmed cases have been reported, including 24,506 recoveries and 282 deaths. More than 644,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[111] On 10 June, a total of 51,066 confirmed cases have been reported, including 25,667 recoveries and 288 deaths. More than 659,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[112] On 11 June, a total of 51,816 confirmed cases have been reported, including 26,643 recoveries and 293 deaths. More than 678,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[113] On 12 June , a total of 52,520 confirmed cases have been reported, including 27,760 recoveries and 298 deaths. More than 697,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[114] On 13 June, a total of 53,241 confirmed cases have been reported, including 29,111 recoveries and 303 deaths. More than 714,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[115] On 14 June, a total of 53,973 confirmed cases have been reported, including 30,103 recoveries and 308 deaths. More than 733,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[116] On 15 June, a total of 54,680 confirmed cases have been reported, including 30,420 recoveries and 312 deaths. More than 749,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[117] On 16 June, a total of 55,369 confirmed cases have been reported, including 31,273 recoveries and 318 deaths. More than 760,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[118] On 17 June, a total of 56,032 confirmed cases have been reported, including 32,735 recoveries and 324 deaths. More than 778,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[119] On 18 June, a total of 56,657 confirmed cases have been reported, including 34,023 recoveries and 331 deaths. More than 800,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[120] On 19 June, a total of 57,333 confirmed cases have been reported, including 35,275 recoveries and 337 deaths. More than 821,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[121] On 20 June, a total of 57,936 confirmed cases have been reported, including 36,749 recoveries and 343 deaths. More than 842,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[122] On 21 June, a total of 58,505 confirmed cases have been reported, including 37,666 recoveries and 346 deaths. More than 861,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[123] On 22 June, a total of 59,023 confirmed cases have been reported, including 37,923 recoveries and 351 deaths. More than 876,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[124] On 23 June, a total of 59,487 confirmed cases have been reported, including 38,688 recoveries and 357 deaths. More than 886,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[125] On 24 June, a total of 59,945 confirmed cases have been reported, including 40,136 recoveries and 362 deaths. More than 901,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[126] On 25 June, a total of 60,382 confirmed cases have been reported, including 41,448 recoveries and 367 deaths. More than 919,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[127] On 26 June, a total of 60,713 confirmed cases have been reported, including 42,689 recoveries and 373 deaths. More than 939,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[128] On 27 June, a total of 61,095 confirmed cases have been reported, including 44,126 recoveries and 377 deaths. More than 959,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[129] On 28 June, a total of 61,475 confirmed cases have been reported, including 45,027 recoveries and 383 deaths. More than 979,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[130] On 29 June, a total of 61,790 confirmed cases have been reported, including 45,213 recoveries and 387 deaths. More than 992,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Belarus as of date.[131] |
Government response
On 16 March, the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, dismissed the threat of coronavirus and encouraged working in fields and driving tractors as a way of overcoming the pandemic: "You just have to work, especially now, in a village [...] there, the tractor will heal everyone. The fields heal everyone."[132] In his further comments on the pandemic, the Belarusian leader referred to it as "psychosis", and on 28 March he played a game of hockey, later stating in an interview "it is better to die on our feet, than live on your knees [...] sport, especially on ice, is better than any antiviral medication, it is the real thing".[133][134] Prior to that, in an official meeting, Lukashenko proposed "poisoning" the coronavirus with vodka, as well as attending banyas as the best cures for the disease.[135]
On 25 March, a mandatory 14-day self-quarantine requirement was instituted for persons entering Belarus from countries affected by the pandemic, with the exception of diplomats and their families, air crews and persons transiting Belarus on return to their home countries.[136]
As of 30 March, Belarus had not initiated a nation-wide quarantine effort.[25] That, as well as the gradual decrease in transparency of the official reports on the pandemic, led to criticism from the press and population, emphasizing the absence of up-to-date information about the territories affected by the virus, decreased update frequency and increased ambiguity of the official reports, as well as restraint of the non-governmental media from the government sessions on the epidemiological situation in the country.[137]
On 4 April, the Ministry of Education of Belarus announced a one-week extension of spring vacation for schools.[138] On 10 April another one-week extension followed.[139]
On 9 April, a mandatory 14-day self-isolation requirement was issued by the government for foreign and Belarusian citizens with either confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis, or the status of first- or second-level contact. The penalties for breaking the requirement include administrative detention, fine and imprisonment.[140]
In an interview given to Tut.By on 10 April, Vladimir Makei, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, stated he "felt shame" having to wear a face mask when "walking to a store" and expressed skepticism about nation-wide quarantine as a rational approach to fighting the pandemic: "I don't think the implementation of 'total' quarantine would have spared us from growth of this curve, which we would see anyway." When asked about the help Belarus received from other countries, Makei noted the Chinese humanitarian aid (COVID-19 tests and medical equipment) and criticized Russia, mentioning unreliable COVID-19 tests and 15 infected workers sent to the construction of the Belarusian nuclear power plant in Astravyets from Nizhny Tagil. According to Makei, approximately 4,000 COVID-19 tests were conducted in Belarus daily.[141]
In a Ministry of Health briefing given on 10 April it was clarified that Belarus did not plan any postponement of conscription. According to Elena Bogdan, the Deputy Minister of Health, 8-10% of COVID-19 tests give positive results, and more than 65,000 COVID-19 tests are currently available in Belarus. It was also reported that 10 out 169 recovered COVID-19 patients had agreed to become the donors of isoimmune blood plasma: "This is a new scientific direction for the RSPC of Transfusiology and Medical Biotechnologies. We will be developing a new method of treating the most severe cases of coronavirus infection with isoimmune plasma of the recovered patients".[142]
According to the Deputy Minister of Defense of Belarus, Sergei Potapenko, as of 11 April, preparations for the 9 May Victory Day Parade were continuing as planned: "As of now, everything is normal, a complex of antiepidemiologic and therapeutic measures is taking place, which assures the health of soldiers is on due level. So far, we have no problems with preparing for the parade".[143]
According to Alexander Lukashenko remarks from the 13 April official meeting, no people had died from COVID-19 per se in Belarus to date: "People are afraid. Thus, I want to tell them the following: not a single person had died from coronavirus in our country. Not a single one! They died from a bouquet of chronic diseases, which they had. [...] Coronavirus is not even a push, it is the atmosphere in which their chronic diseases develop." In his further remarks, Lukashenko addressed the currently hospitalized COVID-19 patients: "There's no reason for them to worry. No one will die from coronavirus in our country. I am stating this publicly".[144]
On 21 April, during his visit to the "Slavyanka" clothing factory re-purposed for the production of medical masks, Alexander Lukashenko criticized the protective measures taken in schools: "Utter nonsense. Children can not wear these masks, especially in schools. There was no such requirement. If there are those who required it, they will answer for it. It's better to open the window and let fresh air in." According to Lukashenko, wearing a mask, using ethanol-based antiseptics and keeping social distance in schools was a "fraud" (Russian: очковтирательство).[145] Later that day Natalia Ejsmont, the Belarusian president's press-secretary, reported one of the members of the presidential hockey team had been diagnosed with COVID-19. According to Ejsmont, no self-isolation or remote working were planned for the president.[146]
On 25 April, a nation-wide Subbotnik (day of community service) took place in Belarus, reportedly involving as many as 2.3 million people.[147]
On 30 April, the head physician of the Vitebsk Clinical Emergency Hospital, Sergey Lazar, was relieved of his position shortly after the publication of his interview with TuT.By, where he criticized the counter-pandemic measures taken by the government and mentioned the shortage of medical protective equipment.[148][149] According to the press-secretary of the Ministry of Health, Yulia Borodun, Sergey Lazar's dismissal was not related to the publication.[149]
According to Alexander Lukashenko remarks from the 3 May official meeting, cancellation of the 9 May Victory Day Parade was impossible: "I have to say, we can not cancel the parade. Just can not. I've thought about it for a long time. This, of course, is an emotional, deeply ideological thing. We must understand, those people died, perhaps, from viruses and other diseases. But they didn't feel it sometimes and didn't think about it. And they died for us, as pathetic as it may sound. Think about what people would say, perhaps, after a day or two, [...] that we were afraid". According to Lukashenko, however, there was no need to force people to participate: "If people don't want it, are afraid and care about their health, we will understand that. We have enough volunteers today - thousands and thousands of people want this event to happen". In his further commentary, Alexander Lukashenko expressed scepticism towards the potential epidemiological danger of the parade and invited Russian officials to take part in it, emphasizing the openness of Belarus to its Russian "friends and brothers". Lukashenko also noted that, despite the absence of nation-wide restrictions, Belarusians had shown care for their health during the past May holidays: "[People] kind of spread-out. There were no gatherings".[150]
According to the 6 May Onliner.by publication, in preparation for the 9 May Victory Day Parade the Belarusian government initiated a recruiting campaign among university students (who were encouraged to participate in the parade in return for the academic and dormitory bonuses), members of the Belarusian Academy of Sciences and recovered COVID-19 patients.[151]
On 9 May, despite the WHO social-distancing recommendations, the annual Victory Day military parade took place in Minsk, reportedly involving more than 15,000 spectators and 4,000 military personnel. The ambassadors of 18 countries (Azerbaijan, Armenia, Hungary, Venezuela, Vietnam, Iran, North Korea, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Palestine, Russia, Slovakia, Turkey, Tajikistan, the UAE and Serbia) attended, as well as the chargés d'affaires of Sudan, Libya and Pakistan, and the Permanent Representative of Russia to the CIS, Andrei Grozov. During his speech as the commander-in-chief, Alexander Lukashenko emphasized the importance of the Victory Day to Belarusians and addressed the critics of the parade: "In this mad disoriented world, there are people who are blaming us for the circumstances we are hosting this sacred event in. [...] Do not jump to conclusions and blame us, the heirs of the Victory, Belarusians. [...] We simply couldn't do it differently, we had no other choice. And even if we had one, we would have done everything the same. The eyes of the dead soldiers look at us, the eyes of the tortured partisans and underground fighters [...] They wanted to live but died for us".[152][153][154][155][156]
According to Alexander Lukashenko remarks from the 21 May official meeting, COVID-19 incidence in Belarus had reached plateau and was beginning to decline in Minsk and Vitebsk: "[In Vitebsk] we are on plateau now and we see that it is declining. Minsk, Vitebsk – especially Vitebsk – had faced this problem much earlier and are now beginning to recover. [...] Happily, we do not see any growth in Minsk now. This is good". It was further noted by Lukashenko that the death statistics remained the most important success indicator of a country's response to the pandemic: "In the end, there is only one indicator - death toll. And the fact that by this metric we are the best in the world is challenged by no one. No one!".[157]
On 11 June, the 14-day self-quarantine requirement, issued on 9 April, was lifted from persons entering Belarus from 37 countries.[158] Since 11 June, all foreign citizens entering Belarus must provide a PCR-based COVID-19 test certificate acquired no longer than 2 days prior to entering the country.[159] On 25 June, persons entering Belarus from 14 more countries[160] became exempt from the self-quarantine requirement.[161]
On 17 June, by a governmental decree, COVID-19 was included in the list of diseases giving patients a right to free medication and medical food.[162]
Suspected statistics falsification
According to Stepan Putilo, an independent Belarusian journalist and owner of the NEXTA Telegram channel, the government had falsified the official data on the COVID-19 pandemic progression in Belarus and published significantly lowered numbers. On 11 May 2020, with reference to "documents from the Presidential Administration of Belarus", NEXTA concluded that a daily gain of more than a thousand COVID-19 cases had been reached "a couple of days ago", while the number of total COVID-19 cases in Belarus was as high as 26,348, with 166 COVID-19 patients requiring assisted ventilation. According to NEXTA, the actual daily gain of COVID-19 cases in the 8–11 May period was as follows:
8 May - +1251 9 May - +1271 10 May - +1183 11 May - +1242
On 13 May, NEXTA reported a total of 27,717 COVID-19 cases and a daily gain of 1,369.[163][164]
According to the statistics presented during the 22 May webinar of the Belarusian Society of Anesthesiologists and Reanimatologists, in April 2020, mortality rate among intensive therapy COVID-19 patients in Minsk alone accounted to 27%, or 117 patients in absolute numbers, contradictory to the 1 May official Ministry of Health report pointing to a total (i.e. in Belarus as a whole) of 93 deaths of COVID-19 patients. In a further official clarification by the Ministry of Health, it was noted that the death rate presented during the webinar reflected the data on all the patients of "pulmonological profile" and included both confirmed COVID-19 patients and patients with "other pneumonia etiologies", contradictory to the slides of the webinar presentation mentioning the COVID-19 patients exclusively. The recording of the webinar was subsequently removed from YouTube.[165][166]
Censorship and repression
On 25 March 2020, Sergei Satsuk, the chief editor of the Yezhednevhik online newspaper, was arrested on a charge of bribe-taking, three days after the publication of his article with critique of the Belarusian government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[167]
On 11 May 2020, two Youth Bloc (Russian: Молодёжный Блок) activists were sentenced to 5 and 13 days of administrative detention for participation in the protest against hosting the annual 9 May Victory Day Parade amid the pandemic. On that same day, another Youth Bloc activist was detained inside the court building while awaiting the beginning of the trial on his associates.[168]
Economic impact
On 30 March 2020, Belarus and IMF started negotiations on a $900 million loan intended to compensate the economic losses from the coronavirus pandemic.[169]
According to the National Bank of Belarus data, inflation in March accelerated and accounted to 4.9%, 0.85% higher than in February.[170]
Belarus is the only country in Europe whose association football league continued playing as planned in late March amid the pandemic. In most countries around the world, sports have been cancelled to mitigate the spread of the virus.[171][172]
On 10 April, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) issued a $1.3 million financial aid for Belarus to help counter the coronavirus pandemic.[173]
On 25 April, it was reported the agreement on a €90 million loan was reached between Belarus and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD).[174]
According to the 27 April remarks by Dmitry Krutoy, the First Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus, a total of $2–2.5 billion of external loans were planned to be used as support for the Belarusian economy: "Speaking of negotiations with IMF, our quota allows for approximately $900 million, the World Bank - approximately $300 million, the European Investment Bank - approximately $300 million, as well. That is, in total we will be able to attract $2-2.5 billion from our creditors. These will be very good numbers". According to Krutoy, healthcare system support and counter-unemployment measures are the main focus of the Belarusian government amid the pandemic crisis.[175]
WHO assessment and recommendations
On 11 April, during a press-conference concluding a three-day WHO inspection, the leader of the WHO mission in Belarus, Patrick O'Connor, noted the "systematic approach", presence of the testing laboratories, patient segregation (as a means of stopping the spread of the infection in hospitals) and the quickly organized domestic production of the protective equipment for medics as positives of the Belarusian response to the pandemic. The WHO recommendations included physical distancing (cancelling of the sports and cultural events, implementation of remote education and minimization of the nonessential movements for the high-risk groups of people), improvements of the testing process and isolation of the first- and second-level contacts. According to O'Connor, Belarus was stepping in a new phase of the pandemic with the transmission of the disease occurring on the "community level".[176]
On 21 April, a new set of recommendations for Belarus was published by the WHO, which included increase in social distancing, quarantining of the contacts of the confirmed COVID-19 patients, implementation of the remote education for schools and universities, reducing nonessential movements for the high-risk groups of people, repurposing of the private and public sector for the production of protective equipment for health-care workers, government commitment to implement the containing and mitigation measures, clear, transparent and regular communication of the risks, health advice and response measures by the government and continuation of the socioeconomic support for the vulnerable groups of people.[177]
On 28 April, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Belarus, Joanna Kazana-Wisniowiecki, emphasized the importance of complying with the WHO recommendations in her video address to the nation and characterized the current state of the pandemic in the country as "sustained and pervasive local transmission", reiterating the previous WHO assessment.[178] On that same day, in a WHO report, the current epidemiological situation in Belarus was labeled as "concerning" and requiring "the immediate implementation of a comprehensive blended strategy", involving a variety of physical distancing measures, as well as expansion of testing capacity, improvements in QA for the locally produced COVID-19 test kits and implementation of standardized screening procedures at international entry points.[179]
On 6 May, the representative of the WHO in Belarus, Batyr Berdyklychev, expressed concern about Belarusian government's decision on hosting the 9 May Victory Day Parade amid the pandemic: "Our concern is about the impossibility of social distancing measures implementation during this event. [...] In relation to all events involving mass gatherings of people, we [WHO] have straightforward recommendations. If there is no urgent need, they should be postponed or cancelled".[180]
According to the 12 June Batyr Berdyklychev remarks from his interview with TuT.by, as of date, Belarus was still in the "local transmission" stage: "Belarus is still in the stage of local transmission of the virus, which is quite serious".[181]
Additional statistics
Note: the February-March data is available in the charts' source code.
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- "В Беларуси уже 42 556 случаев коронавируса. Умерли 235 человек". Onliner.by (in Russian). 31 May 2020. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
- "В Беларуси уже 43 403 (+847) случая коронавируса. Умерли 240 (+5) человек". Onliner.by (in Russian). 1 June 2020. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
- "В Беларуси 3600 детей с положительным тестом на COVID-19". tut.by (in Russian). 1 June 2020. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
- "В Беларуси уже 44 255 (+852) случаев коронавируса. Умерли 243 (+3) человека". Onliner.by (in Russian). 2 June 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
- "В Беларуси уже 45 116 (+861) случаев коронавируса, умерли 248 (+5) человек". Onliner.by (in Russian). 3 June 2020. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
- "В Беларуси выявлено 45 981 случай коронавируса. Умерли 253 человека". Onliner.by (in Russian). 4 June 2020. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
- "В Беларуси выявлено 46 868 случаев коронавируса. Умерли 259 человек". Onliner.by (in Russian). 5 June 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
- "Минздрав назвал регионы, где заболеваемость COVID-19 пошла на спад" (in Russian). tut.by. 5 June 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
- "В Беларуси выявлено 47 751 случаев коронавируса. Умерли 263 человека". Onliner.by (in Russian). 6 June 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- "В Беларуси выявили 48 630 случаев коронавируса. Умерли 269 человек". Onliner.by (in Russian). 7 June 2020. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
- "В Беларуси число случаев коронавируса достигло 49 453. Умерли 276 человек". Onliner.by (in Russian). 8 June 2020. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
- "В Беларуси число случаев коронавируса достигло 50 265. Умерли 282 человека". Onliner.by (in Russian). 9 June 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
- "В Беларуси уже 51 066 случаев коронавируса. Умерли 288 человек". Onliner.by (in Russian). 10 June 2020. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
- "В Беларуси 51 816 случаев COVID-19. Самый низкий прирост за полтора месяца — 750 зараженных в сутки". tut.by (in Russian). 11 June 2020. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
- "В Беларуси 52 520 случаев COVID-19. За сутки — 704 зараженных". tut.by (in Russian). 12 June 2020. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
- "В Беларуси уже 53 241 случай коронавируса. Умерли 303 человека". Onliner.by (in Russian). 13 June 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
- "В Беларуси уже 53 973 случая коронавируса. Умерли 308 человек". Onliner.by (in Russian). 14 June 2020. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
- "В Беларуси уже 54 680 случаев коронавируса. Умерли 312 человек". Onliner.by (in Russian). 15 June 2020. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
- "В Беларуси уже 55 369 случаев коронавируса. Умерли 318 человек". Onliner.by (in Russian). 16 June 2020. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
- "В Беларуси уже 56 032 случая коронавируса. Умерли 324 человека". Onliner.by (in Russian). 17 June 2020. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
- "В Беларуси уже 56 657 случаев коронавируса. Умер 331 человек". Onliner.by (in Russian). 18 June 2020. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
- "В Беларуси 57 333 случая COVID-19. Прирост за сутки — 676 новых инфицированных". tut.by (in Russian). 19 June 2020. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
- "В Беларуси зафиксировали почти 58 тысяч случаев COVID-19". tut.by (in Russian). 20 June 2020. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
- "В Беларуси зафиксировали 58,5 тысяч случаев COVID-19". tut.by (in Russian). 21 June 2020. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
- "В Беларуси больше 59 тысяч случаев COVID-19. За сутки — 518". tut.by (in Russian). 22 June 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
- "В Беларуси 59 487 случаев COVID-19. Прирост за сутки сильно сократился, количество умерших выросло". tut.by (in Russian). 23 June 2020. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- "Количество зараженных COVID-19 в Беларуси почти достигло 60 тысяч". tut.by (in Russian). 24 June 2020. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- "В Беларуси 60 382 зараженных COVID-19. Прирост за сутки — 437". tut.by (in Russian). 25 June 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
- "В Беларуси уже 60 713 случаев коронавируса. Умерли 373 человека". Onliner.by (in Russian). 26 June 2020. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
- "В Беларуси уже 61 095 случаев коронавируса. Умерли 377 человек". Onliner.by (in Russian). 27 June 2020. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
- "В Беларуси уже 61 475 случаев коронавируса. Умерли 383 человека". Onliner.by (in Russian). 28 June 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
- "В Беларуси уже 61 790 случаев коронавируса. Умерли 387 человек". Onliner.by (in Russian). 29 June 2020. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
- "Belarusian Leader Proposes 'Tractor' Therapy For Coronavirus". The Moscow Times. Agence France-Presse. 16 March 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
- Gleeson, Scott (31 March 2020). "Belarus president plays hockey, says global coronavirus measures are result of 'psychosis'". USA Today. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
- "Лукашенко: "Хоккей — лучшее антивирусное лекарство!"". onliner.by (in Russian). 28 March 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
- "Post-Soviet strongmen prescribe vodka, hockey and folk medicine against coronavirus". CNN. 31 March 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
- "О мерах по предотвращению завоза и распространения инфекции, вызванной коронавирусом COVID-19". government.by (in Russian). 30 March 2020. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
- "Почему информация о распространении коронавируса в Беларуси должна быть максимально открытой. Обращение редакции TUT.BY". tut.by (in Russian). 30 March 2020. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
- "Весенние каникулы у школьников будут продлены на одну неделю — до 13 апреля". tut.by (in Russian). 4 April 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
- "Школьные каникулы продлили еще на неделю — до 20 апреля". tut.by (in Russian). 10 April 2020. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
- "Власти пояснили, кого отправят на самоизоляцию. Нарушителям грозит штраф и ответственность, вплоть до уголовной". tut.by (in Russian). 9 April 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
- "Макей о том, отменят ли парад 9 Мая, почему ему стыдно носить маску и что не так с жестким карантином". tut.by (in Russian). 10 April 2020. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
- "8—10% тестов на СOVID-19 дают положительный результат. Минздрав: "Нужно быть готовыми, что количество будет увеличиваться"". Onliner.by (in Russian). 10 April 2020. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
- "Минобороны об отмене парада 9 мая и весеннего призыва: Пока не рассматриваем, в плановом порядке все идет". tut.by (in Russian). 11 April 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
- "Лукашенко: "Мы уже нашли комбинации лекарств, чтобы спасать людей"". Onliner.by (in Russian). 13 April 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
- "Лукашенко про маски в школах: глупость несусветная, министерство и губернаторы за это ответят". Onliner.by (in Russian). 21 April 2020. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
- "Лукашенко не будет уходить на самоизоляцию, несмотря на подтвержденный случай COVID-19 в его хоккейной команде". Onliner.by (in Russian). 21 April 2020. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
- "В Беларуси на фоне эпидемии коронавируса прошел субботник". Onliner.by (in Russian). 25 April 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
- "Репортаж из той самой витебской реанимации, которая первой приняла бой". tut.by (in Russian). 27 April 2020. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
- "Главврача витебской БСМП уволили. Минздрав: связи с публикацией на TUT.BY нет". tut.by (in Russian). 3 May 2020. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
- "Лукашенко: Мы не можем отменить парад. Просто не можем". tut.by (in Russian). 3 May 2020. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
- ""Можно будет выбрать комнату в общаге". Белорусов упорно "не тащат" на парад". Onliner.by (in Russian). 6 May 2020. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- "Парад во время пандемии. В Минске празднуют День Победы". Onliner.by (in Russian). 9 May 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
- ""В этом обезумевшем мире найдутся осуждающие нас". В Минске прошел парад к 75-летию Победы". tut.by (in Russian). 9 May 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
- "На парад Победы в центр Минска придут 18 иностранных послов. Среди них — КНДР, Таджикистан, Китай". tut.by (in Russian). 9 May 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
- "В Минске на парад пришло более 15 000 человек. Это много или мало?". Onliner.by (in Russian). 9 May 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
- Andrei Makhovsky (9 May 2020). "Shunning virus lockdown, defiant Belarus stages Victory Day parade". Reuters. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
- "Лукашенко о коронавирусе: Мы вышли на плато и видим, что пошли на спад". tut.by (in Russian). 21 May 2020. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
- Austria, Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Germany, Greece, Denmark, Ireland, Iceland, Spain, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, North Macedonia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Finland, France, Croatia, Montenegro, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Sweden, Estonia, China
- "В Беларуси отменили 14-дневный карантин из-за COVID-19 после посещения многих европейских стран" (in Russian). tut.by. 11 June 2020. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
- Australia, Egypt, Israel, Georgia, Canada, Netherlands, United Kingdom, UAE, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Singapore, USA, Turkey, Japan
- "Минздрав Беларуси одобрил еще 14 стран, по прибытии из которых не придется сидеть в изоляции". Onliner.by (in Russian). 25 June 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
- "Заболевшие COVID-19 получили право на бесплатные лекарства и лечебное питание" (in Russian). tut.by. 17 June 2020. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
- "Канал Nexta обвиняет Минздрав РБ в публикации цензурированных данных о коронавирусе" (in Russian). afn.by. 12 May 2020. Archived from the original on 13 May 2020. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
- https://t.me/nexta_tv/3134
- "Туда включены не только случаи подтвержденной инфекции COVID-19». Минздрав прокомментировал данные о 117 умерших пациентах за апрель" (in Russian). Onliner.by. 22 May 2020. Archived from the original on 22 May 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
- "В Сети появился слайд о том, сколько умерших было в "ковидных" реанимациях Минска. Объясняем, откуда эта цифра" (in Russian). tut.by. 22 May 2020. Archived from the original on 1 June 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
- "Belarusian journalist arrested for criticizing president's Covid-19 approach". Reporters Without Borders. 31 March 2020. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
- "Активисты "Молодежного блока" за акцию с гробом получили 18 суток административного ареста на двоих" (in Russian). Tut.by. 11 May 2020. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
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- "Нацбанк: ускорение инфляции в марте связано с пандемией и ослаблением белорусского рубля" (in Russian). Belarusian Telegraph Agency. 10 April 2020. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
- Smith, Rory (24 March 2020). "All Alone, Belarus Plays On". The New York Times. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
- Wagner, James (14 April 2020). "Looking for a Full Sports Calendar? Try Nicaragua". The New York Times.
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- "Беларусь одолжит 90 млн евро у Всемирного банка". tut.by (in Russian). 25 April 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
- "Власти потратят до 6 млрд рублей на поддержку экономики при COVID-19". tut.by (in Russian). 27 April 2020. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
- ""Время готовиться к худшим сценариям". Миссия ВОЗ дала рекомендации Беларуси, как противостоять коронавирусу". tut.by (in Russian). 11 April 2020. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
- "WHO expert mission to Belarus recommends physical distancing measures as COVID-19 virus transmits in the community". euro.who.int. 21 April 2020. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
- "Statement by Joanna Kazana-Wisniowiecki, the UN Resident Coordinator in Belarus". un.by. 28 April 2020. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
- "COVID-19 Technical mission of experts to the Republic of Belarus: 8–11 April 2020. Executive summary". euro.who.int. 28 April 2020. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
- "Представитель ВОЗ о параде 9 мая: рекомендации однозначные — отложить или отменить". Onliner.by (in Russian). 6 May 2020. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- "Глава бюро ВОЗ: Беларусь все еще в стадии локальной передачи вируса, это достаточно серьезно". tut.by (in Russian). 12 June 2020. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
