DILI, 05 October 2020 (TATOLI)-President of the Republic of Timor-Leste, Francisco Guterres Lú Olo, has issued the sixth period of a state emergency, from October 5 at 00:00 which will end at 23:59 on 03 November 2020.
During the speech, President Lú Olo asked all entrants, especially to the community who are living near the borders to help the National Police to control the entrance points.
President Lú Olo also noticed some people are entering Timor-Leste illegally. Some people have been captured unlawfully entering by the police; however, some are not, and this can be a risk for transmitting COVID-19 within the community.
“The structural sovereignty alone will not find access, and the communities can assure our fight against COVID-19. Thus each of us needs to protect ourselves and other people with the preventative steps such as wearing masks, washing hands and keeping distancing in public places,”President Lu Olo said.
There have been 390 people who have been caught coming in illegally across the land border, among this number 222 are the members of Persaudaraan Setia Hati Terate (PSHT) which is currently under the authority’s investigation.
President Lu Olo has also called upon the attention of people who are living in mandatory quarantine, as some people have not fully complied with 14 days of compulsory quarantine.
“I have received information stating that some people have not fulfilled their 14 days of mandatory quarantine, this causes a great concern not only to sovereignty but also for all of us, when they are not full filling the 14 days of mandatory quarantine, they can bring the disease to Timor-Leste, and if this is transmitted, will become difficult for the Ministry of Health to control and we can also step on a situation which people can be sick and dead,” he said.
President Lu Olo acknowledges that Timor-Leste cannot close its door to people to come in the national territory. Still, they do need to follow the standard and policy which has been set by the government.
“Although people coming from abroad with a negative COVID-19, must still fulfil the 14 days of mandatory quarantine. Only the State of Emergency will provide a way for the government to send people into mandatory quarantine, there is no other legal way to force people to live in the quarantine, “ he said.
President asks all entities to be responsible to ensure a successful fight against the global pandemic.
“Timor-Leste must become an excellent example to all nations and asks all citizens to comply with the measures set by the government, “Mr Lu Olo said.
Journalist: Natalino Costa
Editor: Julia Chatarina/Nick Kettle
