We did not foresee this sort of new outbreak: Paulette Lenert

According to Minister of Health Paulette Lenert, the government did not foresee such an intense new outbreak of the pandemic. In an interview on RTL Radio on Saturday, she explained that every step along the way had been a risk, and it is now slowly becoming clear how the virus is spreading. However, she also insisted that it would be inappropriate to succumb to panic.

The minister stated that it was reassuring that many of the newly discovered cases resulted from contact tracing: 40% of those tested positive are now in quarantine.

New measures to be decided during the state council on Sunday?

Lenert urged people to be patient and said that the best approach was to observe the evolution of the spread over the upcoming week.

The minister stated that it was "not easy to take decisions quickly" because she preferred to wait and see how the situation developed over the next hours and days.

While the LSAP politician could not confirm whether new restrictions would be announced on Sunday, she stressed that it was the right decision to lift the lockdown.

Lenert also pointed out that the effects of the new law, which includes stricter controls and distancing regulations, could only be observed in a few weeks' time.

However, the minister did confirm that new measures would become inevitable once the sanitary situation could not be contained anymore and tracing infection chains became impossible.

Important lessons as well as a "golden rule" had been learned

Lenert stated that one of the most important lessons of this crisis was that it is important to properly communicate the message that even if the numbers of new infections are low, the country is still in the middle of a pandemic.

The minister went on to say that it there had maybe been some misunderstandings, but it was very important to remain vigilant and to be aware of how the virus is spread.

Lenert added that if there was a "golden rule" then it would be to keep the distance of 2 metres as much as possible as the virus is spread through the breath. This is also way people needed to adapt or change their behaviour.

Struggle against the pandemic a "marathon"

The minister stated that the struggle against the pandemic is a marathon and that it was possible that we have only come halfway so far.

When asked about schools, she said that depending on the evaluation of the effects of school activity during the last weeks of the current school year, the start of the new one in autumn may have to be adapted.

Lenert welcomed organised holiday activities for children and teens as these were great environments to teach proper social distancing measures. The authorisation of contact sports was also the right decision, according to Lenert.

The minister also confirmed that the virus is once again present in nursing homes. It is up to the administrations of the homes to take individual decisions, e.g. restricting visits. She stressed that these facilities in particular have to strictly adhere to the distancing regulations.

Travels and what to look out for abroad

Lenert expressed disappointment over the fact that a number of countries had a negative view of Luxembourg's coronavirus situation and subsequently restricted travel from Luxembourgish residents. She insisted on the importance of the positive rate which has stayed consistent in the Grand Duchy.

Luxembourgers travelling abroad should however under all circumstances adhere to social distancing regulations, even while abroad and even if there is no obligation to wear a face mask.

Concerns about social inequality

The minister is concerned about the extent of social inequality the pandemic revealed, especially through infections in flat-sharing communities. This is to say places where people without social security doing illicit work get infected and have no possibility to quarantine themselves.

Other topics

Jobs in the health care sector have to be completely re-evaluated and given the respect that they deserve. The task force working on legalising the selling of cannabis is also continuing its work. However, a debate on the basic principles of the legal framework still needs to be scheduled.

Lenert neither ruled out nor rebuked claims that she would be the lead candidate for the LSAP in the 2023 general elections. The minister instead stated the she perceived her current role to be that of a crisis manager. This led to politics having to take the backseat, which the minister stated she regretted.

RTL received one additional bit of information after the interview ended: It is allowed to sit on barstools in cafés, even at the counter, with the only condition being that there has to be a distance of 2 metres between places. The only thing that remains prohibited is standing up.