DILI, 01 september 2021 (TATOLI) – The Government of Timor-Leste re-imposed another seven-day general home confinement (lockdown) for all citizens residing in capital Dili, including the fully vaccinated citizens, to respond and mitigate the spread of SARS-CoV-2, particularly the local transmission of the Delta variant.
The Minister of Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Fidelis Leite Magalhães announced at the press conference, following the conclusion of the meeting of the Council of Ministers, at the Ministry of Finance, in Dili, on wednesday.
“After reviewing the presentation of the epidemiological situation of the country, given by the Coordinators of the Situation Room of the Integrated Centre for Crisis Management (CIGC), the Council of Ministers approved and decided to extend the lockdown in Dili to another week, from september 2, 2021, 00:00 to september 9, 2021, 11:59 pm,” said Magalhães.
“Thus, the general home confinement of all persons residing in the municipality of Dili is imposed, who should remain in their residences or their places of temporary accommodation, including shelters, except in the situations foreseen in this diploma, namely for reasons of health, work, to access basic goods and services, and to receive the vaccine against COVID-19,” he said.
He said citizens are permitted to go for voter registration, as well as pest control workers are also allowed to carry out their daily work.
“The circulation of public transport in the entire area of the Municipality of Dili, namely taxis, and microlets is prohibited,” Magalhães said.
“Collective religious celebrations shall be suspended and the organization and holding of funeral ceremonies involving the participation of more than ten people shall be forbidden.”
“All commercial, industrial, craft, or service establishments will be closed to the public, except for establishments selling food and other essential goods, electricity, telecommunications, medical care, pharmacies, petrol stations, and financial institutions. Restaurants may provide take-away or home-delivered meals and other establishments that are closed to the public may develop their activity through home-delivery services.”
The activity of street food vendors and other essential goods is allowed. The Manleuana and Taibessi Municipal markets remain open between 6 am and 6 pm,” he said.
Magalhães added that after the 7-day home confinement, the government will reassess the epidemiological situation in the country on september 8 as to whether to lift the home confinement or imposing other restriction measures.
In addition, at the meeting, the Council of Ministers also had decided to lift the lockdown in the two administrative posts in Ermera municipality – Railaco and Ermera.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges Rosario
