Oekusipost Dili – President of the Republic of Timor-Leste, Francisco Guterres Lu Olo has declared a national emergency on March 27, 2020 by calling on all citizens not to discriminate against a number of suspects who while still carrying out quarantine in several places in Dili.
The State of Emergency will begin on March 28 at 00:00 and end on April 26, 2020.
"It will reduce or suspend some of your basic rights, some of your freedoms, some of the guarantees given by the constitution to every citizen and everyone. Not to eliminate! Unplug or reduce to defend the greater interests of community life and our family life," President Lu Olo announced the State of emergency that was accessed by the Oe-Kusi Post via Facebook Live streaming of the Presidência da República Democrática de Timor-Leste, Friday 27 March 2020.
He asked all people to obey the national emergency regulation peacefully and to respect and give support to the team that works in the field. Some activities will stop and some will continue to ensure daily life.
Through authorization from the National Parliament, I declare this national emergency to show a positive sign of institutional solidarity in this struggle to defend our society.
On 14 March, the interim Minister of Health announced that there had been a positive case in Dili, and from that time until now the city of Dili had hardly been seen. Some activities have been closed due to panic with this information, and also on March 24 the Catholic church leader in Timor-Leste also announced to the people that the Easter Mass for this year was closed at the church, but asked all people to attend Easter Mass. through TV and Radio only.
"I ask all of us not to discriminate against people affected by COVID-19 or those who have symptoms of this virus. Our medical personnel can serve them. We also do not discriminate against our people who have just returned from countries affected by this virus".
