The masks were handed to the Ministry of Youth and Education for distribution to “all elementary school students”, UNICEF Timor-Leste Coordinator Scott Whoolery said.

Timor-Leste, which has reported 113 coronavirus cases and no deaths, is into its 11th month of state of emergency with new lockdown restrictions in place in Maliana, Suai and Oecusse for all but essential services to curb an uptick in community-transmitted COVID-19 cases.

Health authorities continue to urge people to wear face masks, practice social distancing, and wash hands regularly and thoroughly to guard against the spread of the coronavirus.