The World Health Organization welcomes measures taken by Belarus to fight coronavirus, however it recommends to step up the response, Dr. Patrick O'Connor of the WHO's Regional Office for Europe who leads the WHO mission in Belarus said at a press conference on 11 April, BelTA reports.
Patrick O'Connor praised such important measures as laboratory testing of suspected cases, contact tracing and isolation of confirmed cases, quarantine of those who were exposed or could potentially be exposed to the virus. In his words, this is the cornerstone of all coronavirus response measures.
“Belarus has implemented containment measures using its system-based approach and laboratory capacity for early diagnosis,” the head of the mission said. The experts saw the country’s close attention to contingency planning and capacity building efforts aimed at accommodating all patients diagnosed with coronavirus. Belarus has ensured uninterrupted operation of the public health system, including treatment of patients with chronic diseases, mothers and children and patients with mental disorders.
At the same time, WHO noted that Belarus was entering a new phase in the evolution of the outbreak, as the virus had begun spreading through communities in the capital and in other parts of the country. Therefore WHO recommended introducing community-wide measures to increase physical distancing, and continuing with isolation measures, testing and tracing the contacts of coronavirus patients, in other words, the measures that are already in place.
“We welcome the practices implemented by the Belarusian government. However, the isolation measures should remain in place and be increased. Physical distancing means prevention of mass gatherings, quarantine of contact persons and confirmed cases, as well as those who could potentially be exposed to the virus.” WHO recommends using teleconferencing, reducing unnecessary movement, especially of those at risk.
“The measures taken at the national level will be able to help slow and curb the spread of the virus and enable the healthcare system to build capacities to better meet patients’ needs, to ensure the availability of medical supplies, bed capacity and personnel in the event of the surge in coronavirus cases,” Patrick O'Connor said.
WHO believes that a lot will depend on individuals. “Now it is time to increase efforts while maintaining momentum in the good work that has already been done to test all potential cases, trace contacts of confirmed cases and isolate people who got sick,” the head of the mission said. “We recommend adding physical distancing to the current measures. This is not a mandatory quarantine and curfew,” Patrick O'Connor said.
According to Healthcare Minister Vladimir Karanik, it is not necessary to introduce stricter measures at the current stage. At the same time, if each person reduces nonessential contacts and fulfills the social distancing recommendations, Belarus will be able to prevent an exponential growth in coronavirus cases.
The WHO mission was in Belarus on 8-11 April. The mission was invited by Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko. The mission evaluated the country’s response to COVID-19 and approaches to providing medical care. The WHO experts inspected healthcare facilities of Minsk, Minsk Oblast and Vitebsk Oblast. Recommendations will be given based on the mission’s findings.
Answer:
Dear Shivendu Paul and Metali Listeners' Club,
dthank you for your comment! We'll send you some of our souvenirs ASAP.
Stay tuned and 73,
RBI
Hallo Radio Belarus,
ja der Dieter Leupold ist jetzt auch hier im Gästebuch vertreten... Super, bald sind wir alle zusammen hier im "Belarus Hörerclub", Dieter könnte 1.Vorsitzender werden und Jana und Elena Ehrernmitglieder, Helmut Matt Schriftführer, Alfred Albrecht Beisitzer und ich mache Hausmeister:-) Lutz Winkler wie fit bist Du bereits wieder, für Dich finden wir auch eine nette Aufgabe:-) Beste Grüße und ein schönes Wochenende.
Dietmar
Answer:
Lieber Dietmar,
das stimmt, für alle finden wir im Hörerklub eine Aufgabe!:)
Liebe Grüße und einen guten Start in die Woche!
I recently learned my surname is not Polish, but Belarusian. I heard you on shortwave in the past and am so happy to listen online in English. We hear nothing about Belarus here in the US so I am so glad to learn about your country. Keep on broadcasting in English. I also joined the Hoererklub on Facebook as I can understand German. If you have information or a station pennant, I will very much appreciate it.
Sheryl Paszkiewicz, 1015 Green St, Manitowoc WI 54220 USA
Answer:
Dear Sheryl, thank you very much for listening to us! We'll send you some of our souvenirs as soon as we can. By the way, if you're interested, you can participate in our "The Old Country's Loving Call" project and send a greeting to Belarus. You can find more detailed information at http://www.radiobelarus.by/en/content/hukaje_eng
Also, in case you like sports, here's the link to an international competition of ours "My Greetings to 2nd European Games" http://www.radiobelarus.by/en/content/games_eng
73 from the entire staff of RBI! Прывiтанне з Малой Радiзмы :)
Hello from Birmingham United Kingdom!
My name is Michael.
I really enjoyed listening to your program on the Hotbird satellite 13e. I very much love listening to your news and current affairs.
Ask you to send me a small gifts. I hope you guys are all good.
Lots of love from UK
Especially enjoying learning about Belarus. History and culture
Michael Rogers
Flat 2 463 City road Birmingham
B17 8LG
United Kingdom
Answer:
Michael,
thank you very much for listening to us! We're glad that you enjoy our programs. We'll send you some of our souvenirs as soon as we can. Best regards and stay tuned!
Hello. I am a new listener to your English service. I listen on the Radio 1 News app. I enjoyed listening to the news. Do you have any information on shortwave broadcasts you can send me?
Thank you,
Joe Cosimo
23 Ivy Ln, Dupont, PA 18641 U.S.A.
Answer:
Dear Joe, thank you for listening to Radio Belarus International! We're glad that you enjoyed our news. RBI broadcasts on shortwave only in German on 6005 and 3985 kHz. News and programs in English are available via our website and satellites. We'll also send you a postcard and a small souvenir as soon as we can. 73!
Hello,
My name is Younes Lazazi, I am from Algeria.
I am very happy that radio Belarus has started broadcasting in Arabic.
I would like to receive stickers and printed matter of the station and the Arabic and french services if possible.
My address:
Monsieur Younes Lazazi 14 rue Maza Boualem El-Harrach 16009 Alger Algérie
Thank you.
Answer:
Dear Younes Lazazi,
we're happy that you like our boradcasts. We'll send you some of our printed materials via mail in the nearest future. 73!
Dear English Service Radio Belarus,
Greetings to all staff and listeners of English Service of Radio Belarus. We listen your webcast program. Your program quality is very nice. Your website is colorful & documented. We liked your programs, News, and Current Affairs Program. We are interested about Culture, life style of Belarusian people, historical places, Tourist attraction and destination of Belarus.
Please send some program schedule, sticker, view card, Promotional items of Radio Belarus for our club members and students.
We are waiting for your reply.
With best wishes,
SHIVENDU PAUL
President
Metali Listeners' Club
India
Answer:
Dear Shivendu Paul,
thank you very much for listening to us! Your club is among our most dedicated listeners. We will send you some of our promotional products as soon as possible. 73!
Hello!
Did the arabic programmes start? I don't see them on your Internetcast schedule page. Thanks!
Answer:
Hello! The Arabic programmes have been on air since October, every Monday. You can see the schedule and listen to them on our Arabic page http://radiobelarus.by/ar
FM transmitters and frequencies:
Rakitnitsa - 106.2 MHz
Hrodna - 95.7 MHz
Svislach - 104.4 MHz
Heraniony - 99.9 MHz
Braslau - 106.6 MHz
Miadzel - 102.0 MHz
Satellite broadcasting:
see satellite parameters here
