COVID-19 pandemic in East Timor

Girls dance with face masks during the visit of Agriculture Minister Martins in Taroman (May 15, 2020)

As of August 26, 2020

Infected (total)	Died	Recovered	in quarantine
27	0	29	477
↑ 4 cases are counted among those who have recovered who were only recognized as infected after the illness.

The first case of the COVID-19 pandemic in East Timor was reported on March 21, 2020. The fear of the disease had already affected the country beforehand and extensive preparations were made.

The respiratory disease , classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11 as a global COVID-19 pandemic , began in Wuhan ( People's Republic of China ) in December 2019 . The disease is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus from the Coronaviridae group .

On August 26, 2020, 477 people were quarantined in East Timor , 373 of them in Dili . 158 people spend their quarantine at home, the others in the quarantine centers. 3566 people have already come through the 14 days of quarantine. So far, 27 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in East Timor, and 5289 people have tested negative. 74 other people are currently waiting for a final test result. 25 of the confirmed infected people have been discharged as recovered. Four other people who were previously only considered serious suspected cases and whose infection could only be confirmed retrospectively are counted among those who have recovered, so that there are now 29 people in total. Since May 15, 2020, East Timor has been considered free of COVID-19. A new case of illness was only reported on August 4th. Two more were discovered by August 26th.

Happenings

The then Vice Minister of Health Amaral shows with Agostinho Gomes how to greet each other without shaking hands in times of the corona epidemic

Amaral reports on the first corona case in East Timor in a press conference (March 21, 2020)

Information about Corona on Tetum

The first East Timorese to deal with the effects of the pandemic were 17 students studying at Wuhan University . Wuhan was initially sealed off by the Chinese government to prevent the disease from spreading. The students had to stay in their dormitory for three weeks until they were taken from Wuhan to Auckland on an Air New Zealand flight on February 5, 2020, along with New Zealand citizens and other foreigners . There, the East Timorese were initially quarantined in Whangaparāoa , on a peninsula in the north of Auckland. They were allowed to return to East Timor on February 21st.

On March 6, a 43-year-old Italian was isolated because he was suspected of having COVID-19. The suspicion of illness was not confirmed and the man was released from quarantine on March 10. The test results from Darwin ( Australia ) were also negative for another foreigner . On March 18, a total of five suspected cases were counted, all of which turned out to be negative. Locals protested on March 9 in front of the planned quarantine station in the Klibur Domin Tibar Clinic . When they tried to block the way of Vice Minister of Health Amaral and other employees of the Ministry of Health , the protesters were dispersed by the police with tear gas . There were also protests in other possible locations for quarantine facilities.

The first suspected case of an East Timorese citizen was reported on March 20. The woman was previously in Portugal and returned to her hometown of Baucau . When she showed symptoms, she went to Dili and reported to the health authorities. In the Indonesian West Timor there were so far 24 suspected cases, six of which were released from observation after negative test results. Some are in the hospital with mild symptoms.

On March 21, Deputy Health Minister Amaral reported on the first confirmed case of COVID-19 infection in East Timor. First it was reported that it was an East Timorese who came back from abroad. It was later said that the infected person was a foreigner. He had mild symptoms and was isolated by the authorities. On March 30, it was reported that the patient was now without symptoms again even without medication. Portuguese and other foreigners are now increasingly reporting that they have been molested by locals about COVID-19. There were also threats against traders of Chinese origin, which is why several stores closed.

Cabinet Meeting on 24 March 2020. In order to maintain enough distance, they can now be found in the Centro de Convenções de Díli place

On March 22, the police and the Autoridade da Inspeção e Fiscalização das Atividades Económicas e Segurança Alimentar (AIFAESA) took action against usury in connection with Corona for the first time. Seven traders were arrested in Dili. They had offered masks that had previously cost 50 cents a pack for $ 2.50. On the same day, stricter quarantine regulations for incoming people were introduced. 93 people (East Timorese and foreigners) were quartered in the Hotel Novo Horizonte in Meti Aut for 14 days . Local residents then started protests. They cut the hotel's electricity and water lines. In the evening, mostly young people threw stones at the Hotel Audian in Dilis city center, which was also used for quarantine. The police therefore increased protection for the two hotels.

At the end of March, there were a few closed shops and restaurants in Dili, mostly owned by Chinese-born owners. Open shops offered hand washing opportunities in front of the door. In general, fewer people were out. There has been more traffic out of the city and at those large warehouses that sell rice, the main staple in East Timor. There is currently no shortage of certain goods, but the price of rice and other products has increased. Face masks have become a common sight in the city. Here politicians serve as role models.

Disinfection on the street in East Timor

On March 25, another quarantine facility was opened in Batugade , at the border crossing to Indonesia. There, 20 East Timorese were arrested for not complying with the 14-day quarantine, four Indonesian citizens at the border crossing near Suai .

On March 26, inmates at the Hotel Aubian complained that two or three people were being accommodated in the quarantine station, meaning that no minimum distance could be maintained. In addition, there is a lack of cleanliness in the hotel and protective measures against mosquitoes are missing, so that one feared an outbreak of dengue and other diseases. On the same day, work began at the Hospital Nacional Guido Valadares (HNGV) to set up its own pathological and microbiological laboratory to examine samples for COVID-19. The Menzies School of Health Research, the Australian and UK governments covered the $ 350,000 cost. The World Health Organization (WHO) provided a PCR workstation (PCR hood) . Further material and know-how came from Australia. So far, samples have been flown to Australia and tested at the Royal Darwin Hospital . The laboratory started work on March 29th. Since May 4th it has been working completely autonomously without the results being checked again in Darwin.

Due to the global slump in the financial markets, the value of the national oil fund shrank by $ 1.8 billion by March 27. The parallel falling oil price also lowered the state's revenues.

On March 29, numerous East Timorese people held a traditional ceremony in Metinaro so that the country would be spared from COVID-19. The event received criticism because the participants did not wear protective masks and did not keep enough distance from one another. On the same day, the Ministry of Health agreed with the Hotel Vila Verde to use rooms to accommodate quarantine patients.

On March 30, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that an East Timorese citizen had contracted COVID-19 for the first time. It is a member of the embassy in the Philippines who has been under observation in a hospital for two days. The following day, the message came that Abrão dos Santos , the East Timorese ambassador to China, was suspected of having Corona.

Since the beginning of the crisis there had been criticism of Vice Minister of Health Amaral. Several times she got into arguments with journalists at press conferences. After two different statements about the number of suspected cases in East Timor were published in two consecutive press conferences on April 2, Amaral was dismissed the following day by President Francisco Guterres on the proposal of Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak . Captain Donaciano da Costa Gomes , who now heads the crisis team, has been appointed the official spokesman for the COVID-19 pandemic . The staff also includes Sérgio Lobo , Rui Maria de Araújo and Odete Viegas , Director General for Health Services in the Ministry of Health.

Due to the crisis situation, after consultation with President Guterres, Taur Matan Ruak withdrew his resignation as Prime Minister from February 25 on April 8.

Call for solidarity for the helpers on April 28th

On April 10, the second confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infected person was officially reported, while the first has since been declared healthy. The second infected person is an East Timorese who entered with ten other people from Kupang (Indonesian West Timor) across the land border near Batugade . Afterwards, the eleven and seven other people who had arrived were taken to the quarantine center at Hotel Katuas in Dili on a government-chartered bus. After the infected were discovered, all 168 residents of the quarantine center were tested for COVID-19. Most of them tested negative and were moved to other quarters. The bus driver and passenger also had negative test results. By April 16, however, a positive test result had been found in 15 other people from the group on the bus. Another infected person was found in the quarantine station at Hotel Timing. It is an East Timorese who entered the country on March 29th. All infected are in the health center in Vera Cruz . Of them, only three show mild symptoms of the condition.

Four existing suspected cases are also housed in Vera Cruz. They come from various quarity institutions in Dili: one person from the group in the Hotel Katuas, one from the Hotel Fortuna in Farol (entered on March 29), one from the Hotel Novo Horizonte (entered on April 8) and one other person. The 14-day quarantine was extended for 14 people.

COVID-19 info event in Bobonaro

On April 19, another infected person was found in the quarantine station of the Hotel Lecidere and brought to Vera Cruz. He had entered from Jakarta on March 31, via West Timor. It was later reported that a Portuguese teacher who had been quarantined at home for weeks was found to have a low viral load during a repeat test. He is now case number 20. By April 21, three more were discovered, including another Portuguese teacher from Liquiçá . Among the cases of infection that have now been proven, there are also people who belonged to the serious suspected cases, but have now been classified as recovered. Those caught illegally increase the number of people in quarantine.

Case number 24 was about a paramedic who became infected in Vera Cruz. His family was immediately quarantined and tested.

On May 7, it became known that the first time an East Timorese citizen died due to COVID-19. She lived in Dungannon, Northern Ireland, and died there of pneumonia.

The first corona case in months was reported on August 4th. It is an Indonesian citizen who entered overland and is in quarantine.

Health measures

Wash hands to protect against infection

Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak also makes the corona salute (March 2020)

The East Timorese government and the WHO started awareness campaigns in early March 2020 to prevent the COVID-19 pandemic from spreading to the population. Vice Minister of Health Amaral recommended that one should pay attention to one's hygiene, wash one's hands regularly with soap, cover one's mouth when sneezing and keep one meter away from people with flu-like symptoms. On March 10, she announced that the Bairo Formosa Clinic and accommodation in Tibar would be 80% ready to accept infected people. The plans were finalized on March 12th: A first sighting will take place in Bairo Formosa. Then the infected are cared for in the health center in Vera Cruz and if the number of cases increases, accommodation in Tibar would be considered.

Corona Code of Conduct

The WHO sent test kits as well as protective clothing and gloves to East Timor. Australia also provided protective equipment for medical personnel. China supplied an infrared device to measure for fever on arriving passengers at Presidente Nicolau Lobato Airport .

In total, the government decided to spend $ 498,000 to expand the quarantine centers and buy prevention equipment. Another special budget of $ 1 million was allocated to the Department of Health and $ 500,000 to the Department of State.

The Banco Nacional Ultramarino (BNU), one of the most important banks in East Timor, decided to measure the temperature at the entrances to the branches and to set up disinfectants for the hands.

In view of the pandemic, Pope Francis postponed his 2020 trip to East Timor, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea to 2021. The East Timorese Bishops' Conference recommended that the faithful not use holy water on the doors of the Church to receive communion in their hands and Avoid trade shows when sick to prevent the new coronavirus. Recommendations in a pastoral communiqué also included advising against kissing statues of saints or the hands of priests, and that priests should bless people rather than hand-greet them. The traditional greeting of peace in the Eucharist should also be omitted. "Wash your hands well, improve hygiene, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and avoid contact with other people and animals," advised the letter. The Archdiocese of Dili stopped the masses and religious meetings in the state capital Dili and the suburb of Dare for a week from March 21 . Sunday, daily and funeral masses should be celebrated by the pastors without visitors. On March 24th, the Episcopal Conference of the three Bishops of East Timor decided to cancel all masses up to and including Easter.

The Commission to Combat Corona (March 23, 2020)

The Universidade Nasionál Timór Lorosa'e (UNTL) started with distance learning on March 20th. Until April 14th, all classroom courses were suspended as a preventive measure. The schools from March 22nd were initially closed for a week, then the closure was extended until the state of emergency ended. Distance learning was set up as a replacement from April 1st. For this purpose, special programs are broadcast on the public radio and television programs RTTL and TVE . Further learning content is to be disseminated via Facebook and YouTube . The remaining universities were recommended to stop teaching for two weeks. The ministries also instructed officials and employees to stay at home if it is not absolutely necessary to come to work.

On March 23, the government decided again to apply for a state of emergency. In addition, drugs and medical equipment are to be purchased from China for US $ 11 million to fight the disease. Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak set up the commission to advise and evaluate strategies for the prevention and control of the coronavirus pandemic ( tetum Komisaun Akompañamentu no Avaliasaun Estratéjia ba Prevensaun no Kombate Pandemia Koronavírus , CAAEPC-COVID-19). Members are former health ministers Nélson Martins and Sérgio Lobo, former deputy health minister Ana Isabel Soares (all three are doctors) and Rajesh Pandav , WHO representative in East Timor, Cristina Fontes Lima , former health minister of Cape Verde and advisor to the ministry for reform Legislative and Affairs of Parliament ; and Danina Coelho , East Timorese Infectious Disease Specialist at Stanford International Clinic .

Disinfection of the meeting room in the Presidential Palace (March 26, 2020)

After meetings of the State Council and Security Council (at which Danina Coelho, the doctor and former Prime Minister Rui Maria de Araújo and Daniel Santos, Director of FONGTIL were invited as guests), President Guterres agreed to the declaration of a state of emergency. In the last instance, on March 26, 2020, the members of the National Parliament also voted unanimously for the imposition of a state of emergency from March 27 at midnight up to and including April 26. The day before, the division between the parties was reflected in parliament. Government requests for additional funding have been rejected by the new majority coalition, although two of the parties are still cabinet members and voted in favor of the requests.

Japan's ambassador Kinefuchi and his companion have to disinfect their hands before they are allowed into the presidential palace .

The state of emergency enables the restriction of basic rights. The measures adopted are health checks at ports and airports to restrict entry and, if necessary, forced quarantine, both in the home and in quarantine facilities. Essential goods traffic and services should continue to be possible across borders. If “proportionate”, travel and staying in public spaces may be restricted if it is not used for medical or vital care, the support of third parties or for other weighty reasons. Meetings and demonstrations can be banned by the authorities, also in connection with a restriction of freedom of religion, in order to prevent the spread of the disease at large events. The authorities should act against any passive and active resistance to the measures. Goods and facilities can be confiscated, people (especially in the areas of health, disaster control, security and defense), production facilities and companies can be ordered to work, or companies can be closed. The right to strike is suspended if system-critical infrastructures are affected. The Security Council, the Attorney General and the Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice should hold regular meetings.

The emergency telephone number 119 has been on in East Timor for people with corona symptoms since March 24. On the recommendation of the journalist Zevonia Vieira , the government makes targeted use of the social media, which are very popular in East Timor, to inform citizens .

As of April 17, 2020, East Timor only had one ventilator. However, according to Rui Maria de Araújo, new medical equipment is already on the way.

On April 17, the government decided to extend the state of emergency for another 30 days. However, formalities delayed the necessary confirmation of parliament, which is why the state of emergency officially expired on Sunday, April 26th. On Monday, parliament extended the state of emergency for another 30 days. As members of the opposition alliance also voted for the extension, the six-party alliance broke up. The government now has a majority of MPs behind it again.

The government launched a new WhatsApp service that weekend . The app can be used to call up the current situation as well as information from the WHO on prevention, symptoms, treatment, risks and tests in Tetum and English. Relevant news, such as those from the Lusa news agency , is also broadcast. In this way, rumors and false reports are to be counteracted. To activate you have to send "hello" to the number +670/75560000. Later, a new feature is to be added that collects data such as gender, age and location of users.

On April 29th some easing of the measures was announced. Public transport is permitted again, provided that the vehicles are "disinfected" every day before use, all occupants wear protective masks and they "avoid any physical contact". Furthermore, protective masks must be worn during services, hands must be washed before entering the premises and a one and a half meter safety distance must be maintained. This also applies to markets and authorities. Street vendors have to wear protective masks at all times.

The cabinet decided on May 25 to renew the state of emergency. On May 27, Parliament approved the extension to June 27. The cabinet lifted restrictions on schools, religion and trade. The closure of the borders for passenger traffic remains in effect. Likewise, the mask requirement and hygiene and distance rules in public spaces.

The state of emergency ended on June 26, 2020. But there are still restrictions.

Economic measures

Government's Overview of Economic Measures ( tetum )

Security Council deliberations on the second extension of the state of emergency (May 26, 2020)

The incumbent Minister of Economic Affairs, Fidelis Leite Magalhães

President Guterres and Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak in conversation (April 17, 2020)

First payment of the state monthly aid (June 14, 2020)

The population was told that the food supply was secure. East Timor has sufficient stocks of important goods such as rice, wheat and others for "four to five months" and imports should not be stopped. The incumbent Economy Minister Fidelis Leite Magalhães urged the East Timorese to remain calm and not to hoard any goods. He warned that the government would take "drastic and harsh" measures against those who want to take advantage of the situation by raising prices. On March 18, the government decided to buy an additional 3800 tons of rice for national supplies in order to counter price speculation and hoarding.

On April 4, a text messaging number was released that families can use to apply for $ 15 credit on electricity without leaving their homes.

On April 17th, economic measures were decided. More than 214,000 families are to be paid 60% of the wages of workers over three months so that workers stay at home. The executive bought an emergency supply of rice to ensure delivery for three months and to "make up for any possible shortage during the pandemic". The flight connection to Darwin and the sea connection to Atauro and Oe-Cusse Ambeno are subsidized. The monthly payment of US $ 15 for electricity bills is retained, water does not have to be paid for, as well as rent for state-owned apartments and contributions to social security. Add to this an extensive loan program with low interest rates, loan guarantees for importers of essential goods and emergency loans to avoid bankruptcies, keep businesses alive and help households solve their financial difficulties. Minister Magalhães unveiled a program to increase food supplies on the south coast, promote agriculture and fisheries, and provide scholarships to more than 4,200 Timorese students stuck abroad due to the pandemic. Students and schoolchildren receive grants for internet access so they can take courses online. The government estimates that the average household will experience income losses between $ 170 and $ 670. The minimum wage in East Timor is US $ 120 per month.

On May 8th, the government passed a three-month loan moratorium. The government also pays 60% of the interest on loans for the next three months. For this purpose, the financial institutions must open a special account at the Central Bank of East Timor , where they will receive the relevant amounts. According to Minister Magalhães, all commercial banks and credit institutions are involved in the measure, which will cost an estimated 3.5 million US dollars. All natural persons with East Timorese citizenship, non-profit legal entities based in East Timor, retailers and trading companies can benefit from the moratorium. Outside the moratorium, there are people or companies in the telecommunications, mining, and financial services sectors.

Exports in particular suffered from the consequences of the pandemic. In the first four months, the country exported oil and natural gas worth only $ 100 million. Coffee, the second largest commodity, was exported only 273 tons, valued at $ 548,000. Imports dropped to a total of $ 212 million. While imports were worth $ 71 million in March, it was down to $ 35.5 million in April. Oil exports fell from $ 28 million to $ 2.4 million in the months.

On June 8, 2020, former Finance Minister Rui Augusto Gomes was entrusted with the management of the team to develop measures for the economic recovery of East Timor after the COVID-19 pandemic.

For East Timorese who are stuck abroad due to the pandemic, monthly aid was decided in June, depending on where they currently live. East Timorese in the US received $ 890, while India , Indonesia and Tanzania only got $ 100.

In order to mitigate the economic consequences of the restriction of public life, the government already considered on April 10th, every family with an income of less than 500 US dollars per month, 100 US dollars a month for a maximum of three months. Since the Direcção-Geral de Estatística (DGE) first had to record how many families actually live in East Timor, the payment was delayed. Finally, the payout began in the second week of June with two monthly installments at once. A total of 298,000 families are said to benefit from the payment from the $ 150 million corona relief fund. During the disbursement of the aid, there were many complaints from families that were not included on the lists for the support. The Comissão Anti-Corrupção (CAC) found several irregularities and also criticized the lack of compliance with hygiene and distance rules during the payment. The transfer of 60% of the salary as further help began on June 8th. However, many workers waited weeks for the payment because of delays at the three banks active in the country, BNCTL , Mandiri and BNU .

Connection with abroad

Temperature measurement at Dili airport

Disinfection at Dili Airport

East Timor's connections to the rest of the world were already limited before the coronavirus pandemic, which delayed the arrival of the disease. On the one hand, there was border traffic across the border to the Indonesian part of West Timor ( Nusa Tenggara Timur province ). Otherwise there were flight connections to Kupang (Indonesian West Timor), Bali (Indonesia), Darwin (Australia) and Singapore . The various measures taken by neighboring countries further isolated East Timor. The former head of state and government, José Ramos-Horta, criticized the plans to close the border on March 17th. The planes from Darwin and Singapore are already arriving empty in Dili, which means losses for the airlines. Nevertheless, it would be in East Timor's interest to receive these "umbilical cords into the world". Ramos-Horta also lamented the closure of the border with Indonesia. He said that from his point of view, stricter controls with temperature measurements and isolation of travelers from danger areas would be sufficient.

Many foreigners who worked as advisors in East Timor were preparing to return home in mid-March. José Pedro Machado Vieira , the Portuguese ambassador to East Timor, recommended that all Portuguese leave quickly if they wanted to go home. The United States withdrew all Peace Corps volunteers from East Timor. The British government warned East Timorese in the country not to attempt to travel to their home country. The disease can be carried into the country, medical care there is inadequate. On April 4, 211 Portuguese were flown out by Dili in a Boeing 767 chartered by the Portuguese government. Filipino citizens were picked up on a charter plane on May 25th. Japanese and South Koreans were among the 60 passengers. 150 Indonesians had already been flown out before. They returned mainly because of economic problems.

President Francisco Guterres on the situation on March 20, 2020

Quarantine station at Dili Airport

Quarantine facility in Batugade

On March 11, 2020, the East Timorese Foreign Ministry announced that foreign nationals who had been to Iran , China, South Korea or Italy within the last four weeks would no longer be allowed to enter East Timor. Foreigners to whom this applies and who have already been in the country should be expelled. On March 17, the East Timorese government proposed that the President declare a state of emergency and close the borders. In addition, people could be quarantined. President Francisco Guterres announced on March 20 that he would not declare a state of emergency for the time being.

On March 18, the government decided to ban all foreign nationals who are not resident in East Timor if they have been in a country with corona in the past four weeks. Since this affects all neighboring countries of East Timor, the entry ban is de facto complete. Incoming East Timorese had to go into quarantine. In the previous week, more than 100 people had already been instructed by the authorities upon entry to quarantine themselves and stay at home. They were checked daily by the “Equipa de surto” ( German  escape team ) of the Ministry of Health. Among the people in quarantine were East Timorese guest workers returning from the UK and South Korea.

The governor of the Indonesian province of Nusa Tenggara Timur closed the border traffic to West Timor on March 20. Foreign nationals wishing to travel to or through Indonesia should apply for a visa one month in advance and submit a medical certificate from the authorities in their country of origin. This also applies to traffic between the East Timorese exclave and the mother country via Indonesian territory. Citilink only operated the route to Bali once a week. TransNusa , which flies from Dili to Kupang for Air Timor, had to cease operations from March 23 to April 15 by order of the Indonesian provincial government. At that time, Sriwijaya Air had not announced anything about the further operation for the route to Bali.

Australia ordered that all people arriving from abroad starting March 15 must be quarantined for 14 days. Passengers in transit are allowed to travel on. On March 20, Australia issued an entry ban for all non-citizens and non-residents. The airline Airnorth stopped selling tickets for the Darwin - Dili route. The last flight is scheduled for March 26th.

On March 16, Air Timor announced that it would fly to Singapore and back only once instead of twice a week. On March 22nd, Singapore announced that from March 24th, transit trips via the airport and short visits to the country would also be prohibited. Only citizens and foreigners with permanent residence or long-term visas were still allowed to enter, but had to be in quarantine for 14 days. On March 29, only one passenger from Singapore arrived in East Timor.

On March 30, the government decided to only allow flights to Dili on Sundays in order to better control entry. As of April 4, all air traffic was suspended by the government. Together with the closed national borders with Indonesia, East Timor was de facto completely cut off from the outside world. On April 13th, a complete entry ban to East Timor followed, including for citizens. An agreement of three flights per week between Dili and Darwin was only made with Air North for the transport of relief supplies, medical emergencies and international experts.

Problems arose in the East Timorese exclave of Oe-Cusse Ambeno in West Timor. The overland supply is blocked by the closure of the border. From the third week of April, fuel for the local Inur-Sacato power plant was transported by sea with a chartered ship. More frequent use of the Berlin Nakroma ferry , which connects Oe-Cusse Ambeno and the island of Atauro with the heartland, is also under discussion to bring important goods to the exclave.

On June 18, 2020, the import of goods by land was prohibited. Imports are now only possible by air and sea.

Since the end of the state of emergency, people have been allowed to enter East Timor again. Entrants, regardless of the country, have to be in quarantine for 14 days.

Foreign support

Conference in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the local embassies
(March 2020)

Ambassador Xiao Jianguo at the arrival of Chinese aid supplies (April 18, 2020)

Australia announced to supply medical equipment. Charles Darwin University's Menzies School of Health Research carried out training measures for employees at the Hospital Nacional Guido Valadares so that the laboratory there can carry out tests for COVID-19 itself. Also, staff in clinics across the country have been upgraded to prevent and control infections such as COVID-19. Australia wants to ensure the well-being of the hundreds of East Timorese harvest workers in the country. Compulsory health insurance takes care of that.

East Timor wanted to purchase interferon alpha-2b from Cuba , which has been shown to be effective in corona infections in China.

The European Union announced on April 6th that it would help East Timor recover. The rural population in particular should be helped as they will feel the greatest consequences of the economic downturn. The program "Ai ba Futuru", the partnership for sustainable agriculture, which is financed by the EU and the German government, will be retained . The payments for ongoing cooperation programs amounting to 1.85 million euros are to be brought forward and the WHO is to be supported in programs on health and hygiene. With UNICEF , the basic water supply, sewage disposal and hygiene systems are being rebuilt in Dili and Baucau. The funds are to be increased for this purpose. The delivery of personal protective equipment for medical staff was also promised, as well as funds to combat violence against women and children in the context of COVID-19.

The second aid shipment of medical supplies from the People's Republic of China arrived in Dili on April 28, including 90 portable ventilators.

statistics

The number of cases developed during the COVID-19 pandemic in East Timor as follows:

Infections

Disinfection team at the airport (March 2020)

Confirmed infections (cumulative) in East Timor
(April 16 to August 16, 2020) according to WHO data

Cleansing the Paths (March 2020)

New infections in East Timor
(April 16 to August 16, 2020) according to WHO data

Spatial distancing : Japan's ambassador Kinefuchi paces an honor formation in East Timor. Because of COVID-19, there are fewer soldiers who also keep a greater distance from one another (April 2020).

Disinfection at the Presidential Palace (March 2020)

Deaths

No deaths have been reported so far (as of: WHO report # 209 of August 16, 2020).

Remarks

1. ↑ ^{a b} Since August 17, 2020, the WHO reports have only been published weekly, but contain additional information (around cases per million inhabitants). The last daily WHO report ( No. 209 , pdf) was published on August 16, 2020.
2. ↑ ^{a b} Cases reported to WHO by national authorities are listed here. Since the situation is very dynamic, there may be discrepancies or delays between the cases of the WHO and the data of national authorities as well as the information provided by other bodies, such as the Johns Hopkins University (CSSE).

Web links

Commons : COVID-19 Pandemic in East Timor  - Pictures, Videos and Audio Files Collection

• Government homepage on COVID-19 (tetum, Portuguese, English)
• Livru Corona (story about the coronavirus for children on Tetum).
• La'o Hamutuk: State of Emergency: March-April 2020 . Collection of relevant documents on the state of emergency (English / tetum)

Individual evidence

1. ↑ ^{a b} Ministry of Health of East Timor: Progressu no update kazu Surtu COVID-19 ba públiku tomak atu asesu ba informasaun dadus ne'ebe rejistadu iha Komisaun Nasionál COVID-19 , August 26, 2020 , accessed on August 26, 2020.
2. ↑ ^{a b c} Lusa: Covid-19: Timorense destacado numa das embaixadas da Ásia infetado - MNE , March 30, 2020 , accessed on March 30, 2020.
3. ↑ ^{a b} Ministry of Health of East Timor: Progressu no update kazu Surtu COVID-19 ba públiku tomak atu asesu ba informasaun dadus ne'ebe rejistadu iha Komisaun Nasionál COVID-19 , April 10, 2020 , accessed on April 10, 2020.
4. ↑ ^{a b} Lusa: Última Hora - Covid-19: Timor-Leste regista novo caso, primeiro desde 15 de maio (ATUALIZADA) , August 4, 2020 , accessed on August 4, 2020.
5. ↑ NZ Herald: Coronavirus: 190 people on NZ evacuation flight from China set for quarantine in Whangaparāoa and Australia , February 5, 2020 , accessed February 6, 2020.
6. ↑ Tatoli: Timorese Students Evacuate Wuhan , February 5, 2020 , accessed March 12, 2020.
7. ^ Embassy of New Zealand in East Timor: Today the New Zealand Embassy and New Zealand community in Timor-Leste welcomed back the 17 Timorese students who have been in quarantine in New Zealand, and HE Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Dionisio Babo Soares and delegation who traveled with them. We welcomed them with a Te Reo Māori song, or waiata, Tūtira mai which is a waiata about standing together and supporting one another. We are happy to see the joyful reunion of the students with their families. , accessed on February 21, 2020.
8. ↑ ^{a b c} Tatoli: Italian Citizen Discharged from Isolation After Testing Negative for Coronavirus March 10, 2020 , accessed on March 12, 2020.
9. ↑ ^{a b} Tatoli: Authorities Prepare Three Sites for Covid-19 Patients, as Another Man Tests Negative , March 12, 2020 , accessed on March 12, 2020.
10. ↑ Tempo Timor: COVID-19 IN TIMOR-LESTE: REALITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES , March 18, 2020 , accessed on March 18, 2020.
11. ↑ ^{a b} Tatoli: Police Fire Teargas at Crowd Attempting to Block Coronavirus Quarantine Site , March 9, 2020 , accessed on March 12, 2020.
12. ↑ ^{a b} Lusa: Covid-19: Situação de professores portugueses em Timor-Leste está a ser acompanhada , March 22, 2020 , accessed on March 22, 2020.
13. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: Autoridades testam primeiro caso suspeito de cidadã timorense , March 20, 2020 , accessed on March 20, 2020.
14. ↑ Ministry of Health Osttimors: Rezultadu most ba COVID-19 pozitivu 1 (ida) IHA Timorese. , March 21, 2020 , accessed on March 21, 2020.
15. ↑ Tempo Timor: Covid-19 patient is recovered , March 30, 2020 , accessed on April 5, 2020.
16. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: Lojas chinesas, espaços comerciais e de restauração começam a fechar em Díli , March 23, 2020 , accessed on March 23, 2020.
17. ↑ Tatoli: Autoridades timorenses detêm sete comerciantes por especulação no preço de máscaras , March 22, 2020 , accessed on March 22, 2020.
18. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: Protestos marcam imposição de quarentena a passageiros em Timor-Leste , March 22, 2020 , accessed on March 22, 2020.
19. ↑ Tatoli: Ema Na'in 93 Tama Kuarentena iha Maetiaút , March 22, 2020 , accessed on March 22, 2020.
20. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: Novos protestos em segundo local de quarentena em Díli , March 22, 2020 , accessed on March 22, 2020.
21. ↑ ^{a b} Lusa: Covid-19: Polícia timorense reforçou segurança nos locais de quarentena e isolamento , March 23, 2020 , accessed on March 23, 2020.
22. ↑ ^{a b} Lusa: Covid-19: Movimento em Díli começa a baixar como reação à pandemia , accessed on March 25, 2020.
23. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: Polícia timorense faz detenções na fronteira por incumprimento de medidas de quarentena , March 25, 2020 , accessed on March 26, 2020.
24. ↑ Tatoli: Fears Covid-19 Quarantine Site Could Actually Help Spread the Virus , March 26, 2020 , accessed on March 27, 2020.
25. ↑ Tatoli: Work Begins on Timor's First Covid-19 Laboratory , March 26, 2020 , accessed on March 26, 2020.
26. ↑ Tatoli: Suspeitu COVID-19 Sei Hallo Teste Ran iha De'it HNGV , March 29, 2020 , accessed on March 29, 2020.
27. ↑ Covid-19: Laboratório Nacional de Timor-Leste já com autonomia nos testes , May 7, 2020 , accessed on May 7, 2020.
28. ↑ Macau Business: East Timor: Petroleum Fund loses US $ 1.8bln due to Covid-19 , March 27, 2020 , accessed March 30, 2020.
29. ↑ Tatoli: Sinál iha Manu-Aten Hatudu, COVID-19 La Atake Timor-Leste , March 29, 2020.
30. ↑ Tatoli: MS Kontratu Otél Vila-Verde Kada Kuartu $ 50 , March 29, 2020 , accessed on March 29, 2020.
31. ↑ Tempo Timor: https://www.tempotimor.com/politika/2130-embaixador-tl-ba-filipina-pozitivu-covid-19 , March 31, 2020 , accessed on March 31, 2020.
32. ↑ Tempo Timor: https://www.tempotimor.com/politika/2131-embaixador-tl-iha-xina-suspeitu-covid-19 , March 31, 2020 , accessed on March 31, 2020.
33. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: Presidente timorense exonera ministra interina da Saúde ATUALIZADA , April 3, 2020 , accessed on April 3, 2020.
34. ↑ Lusa: Última Hora - Covid-19: PM timorense retira pedido de demissão apresentado a 22 de fevereiro , April 8, 2020 , accessed on April 8, 2020.
35. ↑ Tatoli: https://www.tempotimor.com/en/2115-covid-19-patient-is-recovered , March 30, 2020 , accessed on April 10, 2020.
36. ↑ Lusa: ÚLTIMA HORA - ATUALIZADA Covid-19: Timor-Leste regista 10 novos casos , April 16, 2020 , accessed on April 16, 2020.
37. ↑ Tatoli: Timor-Leste Rejista Tan Kazu Pozitivu COVID-19 Daruak ba Ema Na'in-Ida , April 10, 2020 , accessed on April 10, 2020.
38. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: Governo timorense vai testar todos os contactos de paciente infetada , April 10, 2020 , accessed on April 10, 2020.
39. ↑ Lusa: ÚLTIMA HORA - INFORMAÇÃO ATUALIZADA Covid-19: Dois novos casos em Timor-Leste, quatro no total , April 13, 2020 , accessed on April 13, 2020.
40. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: Timor-Leste regista mais dois casos, elevando para oito número total de infetados (ATUALIZADA) , April 15, 2020 , accessed on April 15, 2020.
41. ↑ Tatoli: Covid-19 Cluster at Hotel Katua's Grows, with Two More Confirmed Cases , April 15, 2020 , accessed on April 16, 2020.
42. ↑ ^{a b c} engnews24h.com: (Lusa): Covid-19: Timorese government explains that cases are linked to four locations in Dili , April 17, 2020 , accessed on April 17, 2020.
43. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: Timor-Leste regista 19 casos, um recuperado , April 19, 2020 , accessed on April 19, 2020.
44. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: Professor português em Timor-Leste infetado com o novo coronavírus , April 19, 2020 , accessed on April 19, 2020.
45. ↑ Tatoli: Covid-19: A Second Positive Portuguese Teacher Brings Total to 23 , April 21, 2020 , accessed April 21, 2020.
46. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: Governo timorense clarifica casos ativos depois de mudar forma de contagem . April 25, 2020 , accessed April 26, 2020.
47. ↑ Independente: Covid-19: Estender estado de emergência necessário para resposta em Timor-Leste , April 25, 2020 , accessed on April 26, 2020.
48. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: Residente na Irlanda do Norte primeira vítima mortal timorense - embaixador , May 7, 2020 , accessed on May 7, 2020.
49. ↑ ^{a b} Tatoli: Timor Bans Travelers Arriving from Covid-19 Hotspots , March 11, 2020 , accessed on March 12, 2020.
50. ↑ Tatoli: Governo TimorenseGasta 498 mil Dolares para Prevenção do Coronavirus , March 19, 2020 , accessed on March 19, 2020.
51. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: BNU em Timor-Leste mantém serviços com medidas adicionais de segurança , March 17, 2020 , accessed on March 17, 2020.
52. ↑ Crux: Pope won't visit East Timor, more trips in doubt , March 11, 2020 , accessed March 12, 2020.
53. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: Conferência Episcopal timorense faz várias recomendações à população , March 14, 2020 , accessed on March 17, 2020.
54. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: Arquidiocese de Díli cancela missas presenciais na capital e proximidades , March 21, 2020 , accessed on March 21, 2020.
55. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: Conferência Episcopal Timorense prolonga indefinidamente missas sem pessoas , March 24, 2020 , accessed on March 24, 2020.
56. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: Universidade pública timorense arranca ensino à distância , March 20, 2020 , accessed on March 20, 2020.
57. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: Governo timorense encerra escolas pelo menos uma semana . March 22, 2020 , accessed March 22, 2020.
58. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: Timor-Leste avança com ensino à distância pela televisão, rádio e redes sociais , April 1, 2020 , accessed on April 1, 2020.
59. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: Ministério do Ensino Superior timorense recomenda parar atividades duas semanas . March 22, 2020 , accessed March 22, 2020.
60. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: Governo timorense aprova compra de equipamento médico à China , March 23, 2020 , accessed on March 23, 2020.
61. ↑ Prime Minister of East Timor: PRIMEIRU-MINISTRU TAUR MATAN RUAK KRIA KOMISAUN AKOMPAÑAMENTU NO AVALIASAUN ESTRATÉJIA BA PREVENSAUN NO KOMBATE COVID-19 , March 23, 2020 , accessed on March 23, 2020.
62. ^ President of East Timor: PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC WILL MEET TOMORROW WITH THE SCDS AND THE COUNCIL OF STATE , March 23, 2020 , accessed on March 24, 2020.
63. ↑ Tatoli: Lú-Olo Ready to Authorize State of Emergency: Spokesman, March 24, 2020 , accessed March 24, 2020.
64. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: Parlamento timorense aprova por unanimidade estado de emergência , March 26, 2020 , accessed on March 26, 2020.
65. ↑ Lusa: Tensão política em Timor-Leste marca debate com trocas de críticas no parlamento , March 26, 2020 , accessed on March 26, 2020.
66. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: Estado de emergência em Timor-Leste impõe várias restrições , March 26, 2020 , accessed on March 26, 2020.
67. ↑ La'o Hamutuk: State of Emergency: March-April 2020 , accessed March 29, 2020.
68. ↑ United Nations: Jornalista do Timor-Leste é destaque na luta contra novo coronavírus , accessed on April 13, 2020.
69. ↑ Timor-Leste Press Union: COVID-19: TLPU-AJTL husu MS haloertramentu justu ba jornalista sira , March 26, 2020 , accessed on April 13, 2020.
70. ↑ ^{a b} Lusa: Covid-19: Governo timorense aprova pedido ao PR de extensão do estado de emergência , April 20, 2020 , accessed on April 20, 2020.
71. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: Estender estado de emergência necessário para resposta em Timor-Leste , April 26, 2020 , accessed on April 26, 2020.
72. ↑ Lusa: Última Hora - Covid-19: Parlamento timorense aprova extensão do estado de emergência mais 30 dias , April 27, 2020 , accessed on April 27, 2020.
73. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: Governo timorense lança serviço de informação por whatsapp , April 27, 2020 , accessed on April 27, 2020.
74. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: Governo timorense flexibiliza restrições no estado de emergência April 29, 2020 , accessed on April 29, 2020.
75. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: Governo timorense vai relaxar algumas medidas do estado de emergência - ministro , May 25, 2020 , accessed on May 25, 2020.
76. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: Deputado do Partido Democrático timorense contra renovação do estado de emergência , May 27, 2020 , accessed on May 27, 2020.
77. ↑ Lusa: URGENTE - Covid-19: Governo timorense flexibiliza regras do estado de emergência , May 29, 2020 , accessed on May 29, 2020.
78. ↑ ^{a b} Consulate General of Timor-Leste in Darwin: Procedures required for Timorese and Foreign Citizens to enter Timor-Leste , July 16, 2020 , accessed on July 18, 2020.
79. ↑ ^{a b} Lusa: Covid-19: Timor-Leste tem bens essenciais para vários meses - Governo , March 17, 2020 , accessed on March 17, 2020.
80. ↑ Government of East Timor: Reunião do Conselho de Ministros de 18 de março de 2020 , accessed on March 18, 2020.
81. ↑ Tatoli: [www.tatoli.tl/en/2020/04/04/free-electricity-begins-monday-for-160000-users/ Free Electricity Begins Monday for 160,000 Users , April 4, 2020], accessed on 10. April 2020.
82. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: Autoridades timorenses aprovam pacote económico , April 17, 2020 , accessed on April 18, 2020.
83. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: Governo timorense aprova moratória em créditos , accessed on May 12, 2020.
84. ↑ Lusa: Timor-Leste exporta gás e petróleo no valor de 100 milhões de dólares nos primeiros quatro meses , accessed on May 12, 2020.
85. ↑ Tatoli: RUI GOMES IS HONORED TO LEAD THE TEAM AIMED FOR ECONOMY RECOVERY OF THE COUNTRY , June 8, 2020 , accessed on June 8, 2020.
86. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: Apoios a timorenses "encalhados no estrangeiro" são limitados - MNE , June 9, 2020 , accessed on June 9, 2020.
87. ↑ Tatoli: Aluk SIJK La Autoriza Família Vizita Kuarentena Obrigatóriu , April 10, 2020 , accessed on April 10, 2020.
88. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: Governo timorense começa a pagar na segunda-feira apoio a famílias , June 2, 2020 , accessed on June 2, 2020.
89. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: Cerca de 231 mil famílias timorenses já receberam apoio do Governo , June 18, 2020 , accessed on June 18, 2020.
90. ↑ SAPO: Covid-19: José Ramos-Horta considera fecho das fronteiras contraproducente , March 17, 2020 , accessed on March 18, 2020.
91. ↑ ^{a b c} Lusa: Covid-19: Receios crescem em Timor-Leste sobre eventuais fechos de fronteiras , March 15, 2020.
92. ↑ Dinheiro Vivo: [1] , accessed March 17, 2020.
93. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: EUA retiram voluntários do Peace Corps de Timor-Leste , March 16, 2020 , accessed on March 17, 2020.
94. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: Governo britânico desaconselha viagens a Timor-Leste Londres, 15 mar 2020 (Lusa) - O governo do Reino Unido , 15 March 2020.
95. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: Mais de 200 portugueses partiram de Timor-Leste em voo de repatriamento , April 4, 2020 , accessed on April 4, 2020.
96. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: Voo de repatriamento de filipinos parte hoje de Díli , May 25, 2020 , accessed on May 25, 2020.
97. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: Governo timorense vai pedir ao Presidente declaração estado de emergência (ATUALIZADA) , March 16, 2020 , accessed on March 17, 2020.
98. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: PR timorense ainda sem proposta do Governo sobre estado de emergência , March 20, 2020 , accessed on March 20, 2020.
99. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: Tolerância de ponto adia restrições nas entradas em Timor-Leste , March 18, 2020 , accessed on March 18, 2020.
100. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: Passageiros que chegam a Díli ficam em auto-quarentena e sob observação , March 18, 2020 , accessed on March 18, 2020.
101. ↑ Kupang Tribun News: Gubernur NTT Tutup Perbatasan NTT-Timor Leste , March 14, 2020 , accessed on March 17, 2020.
102. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: Estrangeiros que passem na Indonésia precisam de visto e atestado médico , March 17, 2020 , accessed on March 17, 2020.
103. ↑ ^{a b} Lusa: Covid-19: AirNorth deixou de aceitar marcações Díli-Darwin depois de 26 de março , March 20, 2020 , accessed on March 20, 2020.
104. ↑ SBS: All overseas arrivals into Australia must self-isolate for two weeks , March 15, 2020 , accessed on March 15, 2020.
105. ↑ Lusa: Última Hora - Covid-19: Austrália proíbe entrada de haben cidadãos e nicht residentes a partir de sexta-feira , March 19, 2020 , accessed on March 19, 2020.
106. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: Air Timor reduces ligações aéreas entre Díli e Singapura para um voo semanal , March 16, 2020 , accessed on March 17, 2020.
107. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: Singapura proíbe trânsito de passageiros internacionais a partir de terça-feira , March 22, 2020 , accessed on March 22, 2020.
108. ↑ Tatoli: Ohin, Aviaun Druk Air KB 900 Hosi Singapura Tula De'it Timoroan Ida Mai TL , March 29, 2020 , accessed on March 29, 2020.
109. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: Autoridades timorenses permitem voos semanais para Díli , March 31, 2020 , accessed on March 31, 2020.
110. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: Governo timorense suspende todos os voos comerciais para o país , April 3, 2020 , accessed on April 7, 2020.
111. ↑ Lusa: Última Hora - Covid-19: Timor-Leste anuncia fecho total de fronteira , April 8, 2020 , accessed on April 8, 2020.
112. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: Primeiro voo de emergência entre Darwin e Dili aterra sexta-feira , April 9, 2020 , accessed on April 9, 2020.
113. ↑ RTP (Lusa): Enclave timorense de Oecusse recebe combustível para central elétrica , April 15, 2020 , accessed on April 15, 2020.
114. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: Governo timorense proíbe entrada de mercadorias nas fronteiras , June 18, 2020 , accessed on June 18, 2020.
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117. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: União Europeia quer apoiar Timor-Leste na recuperação económica , April 6, 2020 , accessed on April 6, 2020.
118. ↑ Lusa: Covid-19: China doa equipamento e material médico adicional a Timor-Leste , April 28, 2020 , accessed on April 28, 2020.
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