Countries Should Engage In ‘Honest Dialogue’ With Coronavirus Protestors, Says WHO

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged governments in different countries to have an honest conversation with the people protesting against restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Extended lockdown, movement restrictions as well as mandatory rules to maintain social distancing and use of mask has frustrated many people in different countries. As a result, many of them are on to the streets to protest against coronavirus restriction and are demanding for some relaxation as well as permission to resume businesses as usual.

This is the reason that WHO now has asked governments worldwide to listen to such protestors and understand their concerns, while also making them understand that the novel coronavirus and dangerous and why they should be careful.

During a recent press conference, the WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was asked about the demonstrations taking place in different countries against coronavirus restrictions.

He said that the governments should listen to what people are asking for and what they are saying.

“We should engage in an honest dialogue,” he said, emphasizing the importance to let protestors know and make them understand that it is their responsibility that the protests are safe and not risky for those attending it. “The virus is real. It is dangerous. It moves fast and it kills.”

He further insisted that “we have to do everything to protect ourselves and to protect others.”

Recently, German Chancellor Angela Merkel condemned the protests being held in Berlin and called it a “shameful” act. The German police on Saturday halted tens and thousands of protestors from marching in Berlin. The protestors gathered to march against the coronavirus restrictions such as the use of face masks.

The crowd went uncontrolled afterward and ended up breaking the police barriers to storm the German parliament.

During his speech, Tedros did not miss to respond sympathetically to such protestors and acknowledge their concerns.

“We understand that people are tired and yearn to get on with their lives. We understand that countries want to get their societies and economies going again,” he said.