Government of Timor-Leste

Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak, has convened a meeting with the Village Chiefs of Dili Municipality, June 8^th, 2021, with the presence of the Vice Minister of State Administration, the President of the Dili Municipality Authority and the Administrative Posts Administrators.

The objective of the Head of Government in holding this meeting with the Village Chiefs of the Dili Municipality is related to the fact that Dili is, currently, the epicentre of COVID-19’s propagation, and one of the means to stop the virus transmission is the vaccine. Thus, the Head of Government intended to collect information directly from the Village Chiefs about the ongoing vaccination campaign, so that the best mechanisms can be found to involve as much of the population as possible in this immunization program.

In this meeting, the Head of the Government started by giving the Village Chiefs the opportunity to present information and the difficulties they have faced in their villages during the implementation of the first vaccine phase. The Village Chiefs then presented their concerns and suggestions, namely asking the Government to make the vaccine compulsory, if possible, asking for better management of time and space, and asking for an increase in the number of staff administering the vaccine, since, at this moment, people are very enthusiastic to receive the vaccine, but the medical staff, vaccines, and vaccination cards are not enough.

For his part, the Chief of the Government acknowledged the sacrifices that the Village Chiefs have made on the ground, to mobilize the communities to receive the vaccines. Therefore, taking advantage of this meeting, the Head of the Government thanked the Village Chiefs for their efforts.

"The Government recognizes the sacrifices of the Villages Chiefs, but continues to ask for your contribution, because the more our citizens get vaccinated, the sooner we will enter a new normality, so that the economy and social activities can quickly return to normal," said the Head of the Government.

Regarding the Villages Chiefs' opinion, the Head of the Government stressed that he will discuss in more detail with the Ministry of Health and the Situation Room Team, in order to improve the vaccination program mechanisms, and so that the goals set by the Government can be reached.

Lastly, the Head of the Government explained that when the number of vaccines reaches the target, the Government will have the possibility to normalize the economic and social life, relaxing the rules imposed during this period, so that the community can circulate freely again and can carry out socio-economic activities.