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September 4th, 2021
Joint Press Release
On the importance of mandatory confinement in the Municipality of Dili
The last few weeks have seen a worsening of the country-wide pandemic situation of COVID-19, with confirmation of the existence of the delta variant in the country and a large increase in the number of people infected, hospitalisations, severe cases of the disease and deaths.
During the month of August, the worst since the beginning of the pandemic, Timor-Leste registered a total of 5,784 cases of infection by the new coronavirus and 41 people died from COVID-19.
The situation is of particular concern in the Municipality of Dili, where the Delta variant prevails, which is much more infectious and dangerous than the previously widespread coronavirus variants.
Although vaccination against COVID-19 is progressing positively throughout the country and despite its proven effectiveness in preventing severe cases and deaths, there has been an increase in those infected also among the vaccinated population, who, although the risk of being hospitalised is much lower than those who are not vaccinated, can infect others, including the most vulnerable, such as people with comorbidities, children, pregnant women and the elderly.
Taking into account this worsening situation and following the recommendations of the World Health Organization, the Ministry of Health and the Integrated Center for Crisis Management, the Government decided to impose General Mandatory Confinement of the Population of the Municipality of Dili, regardless of whether they are or not vaccinated against COVID-19.
Although the Government had previously said that anyone who had full vaccination would be exempt, as the situation worsened the Government had to quickly take this radical measure.
To stop the transmission of the virus in our community, safeguard public health and protect the most vulnerable, it is essential that the entire population of the Municipality of Dili, including those who have already completed vaccination, comply with home confinement and adopt all preventive measures of COVID-19. END