The conversation comes as a sanitary fence imposed around Dili for the last three months was removed on Thursday. The fence restricted the movement of people living in Dili, a main COVID-19 hotspot,  to other municipalities where virus infection levels are lower.

Ruak said he discussed the removal of COVID-19 movement restrictions and the critical importance of ensuring the majority of people were vaccinated before doing so.

He also discussed the vaccine campaign, both in the capital city and rural areas and the need to ensure vaccine availability for all.

Timor-Leste is pushing to remove COVID-19 restrictions once 80% of its population over 16 years old are fully vaccinated.

A total of  37.5% of adults in Timor-Leste are fully vaccinated, with levels far higher in Dili where over 68% are vaccinated compared to regional areas.

A vaccine campaign was launched in Ermera this week, where just 11.6% of people are vaccinated, health officials announced in a statement.