Dili was due to remove its health fence on Wednesday, the fourth month for its population in battles against the highly infectious Delta COVID-19 variant.

In Ermera, Baucua and Covalima, the Council of Ministers agreed to remove the health fence, with health authorities urging people to get COVID-19 vaccinate to move around responsibly.

The Council of Ministers confirmed strict movement restriction orders for Dili municipality will remain in place until at least September 29 as the region continues to record double-digit new cases of COVID-19. On Wednesday it recorded 42 of Timor-Leste’s 67 new daily cases.

“The imposition of the ban on the movement of people between the municipality of Dili and other administrative districts remains in force, except in duly substantiated cases for reasons of public safety, public health, humanitarian assistance, maintenance of public supply systems or performance public interest,” a Council of Ministers statement said.

The movement ban does not cover people who can prove complete vaccination (two doses) against COVID-19, as well as children under the age of six who accompany them .

During the meeting, health authorities also confirmed its national vaccine plan for young people was on track.

A delivery of 100,620 Pfizer vaccines from COVAX mechanism is set to arrive in Timor-Leste “soon”.

“According to the plan presented, vaccination will be carried out in schools and the first 50,000 young people to receive the vaccine will be students from the 6th to the 11th of high school, from pre-selected municipalities,” the statement said.

As of Wednesday, more than 55% of adults in Timor-Leste have received one COVID-19 vaccine and 32.9% have been fully vaccinated, according to official data.