Coronavirus In Belarus: Is The Country Affected?

Belarus has taken an unorthodox approach to the coronavirus pandemic. The country's leader, Alexander Lukashenko, has been criticised for his response to the virus, which included recommending citizens work in the countryside and drive tractors as a way to overcome the epidemic. Despite the pandemic, Belarus kept its borders, schools, universities, theatres, and cafes open, and did not ban public events. The country's football league continued to operate, with fans still attending matches. As of February 2023, Belarus has reported almost 20 million vaccine doses administered and almost 1 million confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Belarus' unorthodox response to the coronavirus pandemic

Belarus, often dubbed Europe's "last dictatorship", has taken an unorthodox approach to the coronavirus pandemic. With its borders, schools, universities, theatres, and cafes remaining open, the country stands in stark contrast to the rest of Europe. This response, led by President Alexander Lukashenko, has sparked criticism and raised questions about its rationale and potential consequences.

Regulatory Measures and Recommendations

While Belarus has not implemented large-scale lockdowns or restrictions, it has adopted some regulatory measures. Parents can keep their children home from school, and university lectures have been rescheduled to avoid student crowds during rush hour. The government has also implemented targeted testing, particularly for those exhibiting symptoms or with a travel history to severely affected countries. Additionally, mandatory self-quarantine requirements were imposed for individuals entering Belarus from affected countries, and later extended to include confirmed cases or close contacts.

The Belarusian government has also relied heavily on recommendations rather than mandates. These include advising against non-essential travel, discouraging visits to elderly relatives, frequent handwashing, and avoiding public events. The national bank has also advised banks to offer loan repayment holidays and not restrict foreign currency sales.

Rationale and Strategies

The Belarusian government's response to the pandemic appears to be influenced by both economic and political considerations. Economically, the country was already facing challenges due to limited oil supplies and a fragile economy. President Lukashenko believed that imposing a lockdown would be devastating for small businesses and the country's economy as a whole, especially without certainty that mass quarantine would be effective.

Political psychology also played a role in the government's strategy. President Lukashenko seemed convinced that the danger of the virus had been exaggerated by the media, referring to it as a "psychosis." He emphasized that the country had survived similar viruses and would do so again. The government's communication tactics aimed to appease the population, with state-controlled media downplaying the coronavirus and even making fun of those who expressed concern.

Criticism and Consequences

The Belarusian response to the pandemic has drawn criticism from various quarters. Civil society actors and student activists criticized the government for not implementing more stringent measures, such as closing schools. There were also concerns about a lack of transparency in official reports, with non-governmental media facing restraints in accessing information.

The World Health Organization (WHO) offered recommendations for Belarus, including physical distancing, improving testing processes, and isolating close contacts. They expressed concern about the government's decision to host a Victory Day military parade, which drew thousands of spectators and went against their advice for mass gatherings.

Belarus's unorthodox response to the coronavirus pandemic, characterized by a mix of regulatory measures and recommendations, was shaped by economic concerns and political psychology. While the government aimed to prevent economic collapse and appease the population, the strategy carried risks. If the situation escalated, the government and President Lukashenko would likely face intense criticism and outrage from the public. The consequences of this unusual approach to combating the virus remain a subject of ongoing evaluation and debate.

The number of coronavirus cases in Belarus

As of 16 March 2020, the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, dismissed the threat of coronavirus, stating that working in the fields and driving tractors would overcome the pandemic. He referred to the virus as "psychosis" and encouraged people not to panic. Lukashenko's comments and actions, such as playing a game of hockey and proposing vodka as a cure for the virus, sparked criticism from the press and population, who emphasised the lack of up-to-date information and transparency in official reports.

According to World Health Organization (WHO) statistics, as of March 2020, Belarus, with a population of 9.5 million, had recorded 94 cases of coronavirus and zero deaths. However, these numbers are questionable due to the government's lack of transparency and the removal of some statistics from official websites.

As of February 2023, Belarus has reported a total of 788,934 to 994,037 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with the number still rising. The actual number of cases is likely higher due to suspected statistics falsification and the government's downplaying of the situation.

The COVID-19 pandemic in Belarus has been a challenging and controversial issue, with the government's response prioritising the economy over strict quarantine measures. The number of cases has continued to rise, and the true extent of the outbreak may never be accurately known due to potential data manipulation.

The Belarusian government's communication strategy

Lukashenko's statements and actions often downplayed the severity of the virus. He suggested unconventional cures for COVID-19, such as working in the fields, driving tractors, drinking vodka, and visiting saunas. He also criticised protective measures such as wearing masks, especially in schools, and argued that healthy people did not need to wear them. The news broadcast on state-controlled television paid less attention to the coronavirus than non-state media, and the official Belarusian young people's union published caricatures making fun of those who panicked.

The government's strategy sparked criticism and concern from various quarters. The press and population emphasised the lack of transparency in official reports, the decrease in update frequency, and the ambiguity of the information provided. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended physical distancing, the cancellation of sports events, and the implementation of remote education—measures that contradicted the Belarusian government's approach. Civil society actors and student activists criticised the authorities for not closing schools and universities, with some calling for a nationwide quarantine.

Despite the criticism, the government maintained its course. Lukashenko expressed scepticism towards the potential epidemiological danger of large gatherings and went ahead with the annual Victory Day military parade on 9 May, involving thousands of spectators and military personnel. He also emphasised the importance of this event for Belarusians and framed the decision as an ideological choice.

In summary, the Belarusian government's communication strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic prioritised reassuring the population and preventing economic disruption over strict lockdown measures. The government faced criticism for its approach, but it ultimately did not deviate from its chosen path.

The impact of coronavirus on the Belarusian football league

The impact of the coronavirus on the Belarusian football league was markedly different from the rest of the world. While other leagues ground to a halt, Belarus started their 2020 campaign in the midst of the pandemic. The Belarusian Premier League was the only football league in Europe to continue playing as planned.

The country's response to the pandemic was unorthodox, to say the least. Led by President Alexander Lukashenko, Belarus became known as the "'last dictatorship' in Europe." Lukashenko encouraged citizens to work in the countryside and drive tractors as a cure for the virus, stating that "the tractor will heal everyone." He also suggested that vodka could be used to poison the virus and as a disinfectant. These statements were met with criticism, with many accusing the government of downplaying the severity of the pandemic.

Despite the pandemic, the Belarusian Premier League kicked off as scheduled, with spectators allowed in the stadiums. The league started in March 2020, with the first game between FC Minsk and Dinamo-Minsk. Around 3,000 fans attended the match, with their temperatures being taken before entering the stadium. This was a stark contrast to other leagues around the world, which had halted their seasons to prevent the spread of the virus.

The decision to continue playing football during the pandemic was not without consequences. The Belarusian football league faced backlash and criticism from the international community. In 2022, Belarus was banned from playing in their home country by FIFA and UEFA due to the country's role in facilitating the illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine. Additionally, Belarusian teams were required to play their home matches at neutral venues without spectators.

The impact of the coronavirus on the Belarusian football league was significant. While the league continued playing, they faced international condemnation and sanctions. The decision to continue playing during a global pandemic became a political statement that had repercussions for the country's sporting reputation and relations.

The effectiveness of Belarus' COVID-19 vaccines

Belarus has used a variety of vaccines in its COVID-19 vaccination programme, including the Russian Sputnik V, Sputnik Light, EpiVacCorona, and CoviVac vaccines, as well as the Cuban SOBERANA PLUS vaccine.

The first case of COVID-19 in Belarus was registered in Minsk on 28 February 2020. The country began its vaccination programme on 29 December 2020, initially using the Sputnik V vaccine. As of 29 January 2023, a total of 19,047,714 vaccine doses have been administered.

A preliminary assessment from a case-control study in St. Petersburg, Russia, found that the Gam-COVID-Vac (Sputnik V) vaccine was 56% effective against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 during the Delta variant surge in October 2021. The study also found that the vaccine was 49% effective after one dose, and 65% effective for men. However, the effectiveness of the vaccine is likely to be higher than the estimated 56% due to bias arising from the high prevalence of past COVID-19 infections in St. Petersburg.

The Belarusian government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been described as "unorthodox". Unlike most other European countries, Belarus kept its borders, schools, universities, theatres, and cafes open, and did not ban public events. President Alexander Lukashenko dismissed the threat of coronavirus, stating that "there shouldn't be any panic" and that citizens could overcome the virus by working in the countryside and driving tractors. Lukashenko also proposed poisoning" the coronavirus with vodka and visiting saunas as cures for the disease.

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