The purpose of the pre-holiday campaign is to convince the public of the need to observe safety measures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The purpose of the pre-holiday campaign is to convince the public of the need to observe safety measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Wearing a mask, maintaining physical distance, monitoring your well-being, and leading a healthy lifestyle means being responsible, caring not only for your own health but also for the health of those around you. And such responsible behaviour becomes a vital necessity during the long New Year holidays.

The republican campaign "New Year - A Home Celebration" became the first event of the "Communication Strategy for Responding to COVID-19 for the Public and Medical Personnel," developed within the framework of the project "Emergency Response to COVID-19 in the Republic of Belarus."

"Within the framework of the project 'Emergency Response to COVID-19 in the Republic of Belarus,' implemented by the Ministry of Health jointly with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Ministry of Health has developed a communication strategy.

The overall goal of the 'Communication Strategy for Responding to COVID-19 for Medical Personnel and the Public' is to ensure the observance by the population and medical workers of health protection measures recommended by health authorities. It is necessary to develop a general acceptance of protective behaviour models that contribute to combating the COVID-19 pandemic both at the national and global levels. It is coordinated, prompt actions at all levels that will achieve success in the fight against the virus," believes Dmitry Pinevich, Minister of Health of the Republic of Belarus.

The basis of an effective response lies in engaging the public in the fight against the virus and empowering stakeholders in finding and implementing solutions.

A comprehensive approach to implementing the strategy will not only systematize work on forming informed and responsible behaviour in society to combat COVID-19, ensure a clear understanding of health risks for every Belarusian, and fill knowledge gaps about risks for a successful fight against the virus.

The strategy pays attention to the quality and timeliness of information for the public, as well as the sources of this information – competent specialists capable of quickly and clearly explaining the essence of what is happening.

to various target audiences in a language they understand. As part of the project, the development and continuous updating of a package of visual materials on the topic of COVID-19 prevention is planned.

The strategy implementation includes interaction with international organizations such as the World Health Organization, UNICEF, UNFPA, UNDP, and the Belarusian Red Cross Society. This is not only about providing assistance in the supply of equipment, consumables, and medicines. It also involves the exchange of experience in COVID-19 prevention, the implementation of joint communication projects, the creation of content for various target audiences, training of medical personnel, and the provision of international-level experts on the topic of COVID-19.