DILI, 24 august 2021 (TATOLI) – The National Parliament, this tuesday, in a plenary session, authorized the President of the Republic to declare the State of Emergency for the 17th time, to another 30 days, to combat the propagation of the Delta variant in the country.
“The request of the President of the Republic was approved, with 38 votes in favor, 0 against, and 16 abstentions,” the President of the National Parliament made the announcement during the plenary session at the National Parliament, today.
MP of the People’s Liberation Party (PLP), Abel Pires called on the government to pay attention and ensure proper conditions for the frontline workers during this difficult time.
“PLP bench places their trust to Prime Minister and his cabinet to combat the Delta variant in the country,” he affirmed.
Pires urged the population to continue practicing the COVID-19 preventive measures, by washing hands frequently, wearing masks all the time, and maintaining social and physical distancing to contain the coronavirus.
At the same place, MP of the National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction (CNRT), Bendita Magno said the government has to accept the reality that Timor-Leste is now living with Covid-19.
“The Covid-19 and the State of Emergency are the barriers for the execution of the General State Budget (OJE),” she said.
In addition, KHUNTO’s MP, Olinda Guterres called on Timor-Leste’s National Defense Force (F-FDTL), to keep supporting the Timorese National Police (PNTL) to control and prevent citizens from the illegal border crossing at the border zone.
Further, Chairman of the FRETILIN party, Francisco Branco said his party stands firm in supporting the Government and the Integrated Crisis Management Center (SIJK) on the battle against the Covid-19 and the new Delta variant.
Moreover, MP of the PUDD party, Antonio de Sa Benevides said that: “With the presence of the Prime Minister and his cabinet members at the discussion, leading the MPs to take the matter seriously.”
“Due to the increasing number of Covid-19 deaths and the cases of the new Delta variant, PUDD demands each citizen to show their moral responsibility to cooperate and contributing to the fight against the Covid-19,” said Benevides.
A day earlier, the Superior Council of Defense and Security (KSDS) and the Council of State (KE) recommended to the President of the Republic to request the authorization of the National Parliament for the extension of the state of emergency to another month.
Just to recall: the President of the Republic, Francisco Guterres Lú Olo, declared the nation’s 16th state of emergency on august 1st, 2021, 00.00 am and august 30th, 2020, 11.59 pm.
There has been a total of 14.935 lab-confirmed cases of the virus in Timor-Leste, with 11.068 recoveries, active cases were 3.816 and 51 deaths, according to SIJK’s data.
Journalist : Domingos Piedade Freitas
Editor : Maria Auxiliadora
Translation : Filomeno Martins
Editor : Nelia Borges Rosario
