PCR-based COVID-19 screening test on His Excellency the Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak, conducted by the Epidemiological and Community Surveillance Team, with a negative result.

 On Sunday, March 28th, 2021, the Epidemiological and Community Surveillance Team, from pillar III of the Ministry of Health, led by Dr. Josefina Clarinha, went to the residence of the Head of Government in Metiaut, Dili, to collect samples (SWAB test) from His Excellency the Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak, and his family, members of security staff and other personnel working at the residence. These samples, once collected,  were taken to the National Laboratory to be tested by PCR, to identify the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19 disease. The objective is to anticipate, so that, if a positive case arises, appropriate preventive measures can be taken, such as isolation, to prevent this disease from infecting other people.

Fortunately, the laboratory result, after 24 hours, showed that both His Excellency the Prime Minister, his family, and all those tested in the residence were negative. This is the second test His Excellency the Prime Minister has undertaken, the first having been conducted on March 8th, 2021.