The ICCM information notice posted on social media on Monday is not a retraction, rather it is a clarification for citizens on movement regulations.

“After receiving two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine the arrival can be free in the national territory and there is no need for authorisation,” the post said.

“Vaccination documents are only necessary at the entry point of the sanitary fence and when authorities ask.”

The information post follows some mixed messages in the information released by officials regarding COVID-19.

The post re-emphasised that “children under the age of six can also circulate freely without any limitations.”

A health fence restricting movement without full COVID-19 vaccination or authorisation remains in the municipality of Díli until 23:59 hours on July 15.

The clarification comes as Timor-Leste continues to ramp up its COVID-19 vaccination campaign. On Thursday, a batch of 40,000 additional AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines arrived in Dili from Australia.

In addition to the vaccines from Australia, 124,800 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, under the COVAX mechanism, and 100,000 doses of the Sinovac vaccine, offered by China, have already arrived in the country, for a total of 399,800 doses of vaccines against COVID-19, according to a government statement.

Minister for Health, Odete Maria Freitas Belo, has repeatedly said the national goal set in the National Vaccination Plan, “of immunising the entire population over the age of 18 by the end of the year, and said that during the month of June or July, the target of 20 percent of the population with at least one dose of the vaccine should be reached.”

As of July 6, nationwide, 217,677 people (28.7% of people over 18) have already received the first dose and 26,272 people (3.5%) have completed the vaccination, according to health data.