João Lourenço addressed an end-of-year message to the nation, in which he considered that the year that ended "was not a good one, it was not generous to anyone", remembering that it damaged everyone's family and professional life without exception.
The head of state stressed that the economies of all countries were damaged by the pandemic, which "brought pain and grief to thousands of families around the world".
"That is why I would very much like it if not only the year 2020 was left behind, but that the associated pandemic, the covid-19, would also, from today, be part of the past," he said.
On the other hand, the head of state regretted that, despite all the efforts of the world scientific community, it will not be in the coming days that humanity will be protected from this virus, SARS-COV-2.
"Perhaps within months or even more, with the mass use and free of charge of the vaccine produced by world renowned laboratories," he said.
The head of state called for the sacrifice of citizens to "strictly maintain the biosafety measures respected since the beginning of the pandemic, such as social detachment, permanent and correct use of the mask, constant hand hygiene, avoiding crowds, parties and others. ", until a considerable part of the population is vaccinated.
"A light of hope is already on the horizon, but it is not a time to relax, the year 20201 brings us the long-awaited vaccine, but it will only be effective if at the same time we are able to maintain many of the good habits that the pandemic has led us to. to practice with a greater sense of responsibility ", he stressed.
According to João Lourenço, the year that has just started will be hard work, in which everyone will work with more determination, in a more selfless and organized way, to obtain better results from what they strive to do.
"We hope that it will be the year of the economic recovery, in which we will finally be able to witness the lifting of the sanitary fences, the year of the resumption of international commercial passenger flights, the year of the reopening and revitalization of tourism, the year of return to sports activities. and cultural, with the presence of the public, the year of the national and international face-to-face conferences, in short, the year of returning to a situation very close to what we consider to be normal, "he said.
João Lourenço expressed optimism, stating that it is possible to fulfill these desires, "but with all the recommended precautions", so as not to return to a worse situation than the one we are experiencing today.
The President addressed a word of comfort and encouragement to all Angolans who lost loved ones throughout the year due to illness, traffic accident, victims of homicide, domestic violence or any other cause of death.
"We also extend a word of comfort and wishes for quick improvements to Angolans who are bedridden, or hospitalized, to prisoners, as they are in a condition that does not allow them to spend the festive season in family life", stressed João Lourenço, without forgetting the military, police and firefighters, medical and paramedical personnel, oil rig workers, airline pilots and all other professionals prevented from sharing the holiday with their families.
