On Monday morning, Luxembourg’s Minister of Health, Paulette Lenert, held a press conference on the latest government measures and figures in relation to the coronavirus pandemic.
On this occasion, Health Minister Paulette Lenert confirmed that the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus had risen from 77 yesterday evening (of which 10 were hospitalised) to 81 this morning. She added that the authorities had decided to provide a regular update concerning these figures every morning at 09:00.
In addition, Minister Lenert reiterated that the stricter government measures announced yesterday were aimed at "flattening the curve" of coronavirus and thus reducing pressure on the health services. Hence the decision to reduce further circulation among the population. The Health Minister called again for older and more vulnerable people to stay at home and look after themselves. She thus called for "self-discipline" among both the older and more vulnerable and the overall population.
In this regard, she recalled that neighbouring countries like France were considering even more drastic measures due to people ignoring official advice to stay at home except for essential activities. She added that Luxembourg did not want to take such strict measures unless absolutely necessary.
Concerning essential activities required for the functioning of society, Minister Lenert cited electricity and water supply, waste collection, the food sector (take-away and delivery services at restaurants), the health and care sectors and public transport, all of which must be maintained and guaranteed in the coming weeks. She added that different solutions would be required for essential professions, where staff must be physically present (eg health professionals) and family leave would not be an option. In this context, the authorities have already set up nine creches for the children of hospital staff in Luxembourg.
Following the introduction of cross-border certificates linked to Germany's decision to impose stricter border controls, Minister Lenert stated that Luxembourg was similarly looking into a cross-border clause in the case of a potential lockdown in the Grand Est region of France. She added that the authorities were trying to mobilise hotels (many of which are mostly empty at present) in Luxembourg to accommodate cross-border workers and their families.
Regarding supplies, the Health Minister confirmed that the authorities are "doing everything to keep stocks full". She added that a number of medicine students had volunteered to help out at this challenging time. In this context, the Health Ministry plans to set up a separate telephone number which potential volunteers can call.
Moreover, Paulette Lenert stressed that the health crisis unit had been reinforced in order to react quicker to developments. As opposed to carrying out fewer tests, she confirmed that health professionals were actually carrying out more specific tests, ie on people at greater risk and who show more severe symptoms of the virus.
