Story By: Anastasia Smirnova, Sub-Editor:  Joseph Golder, Agency:  Newsflash

Newsflash/@CTVBY

‘Europe’s last dictator’ Alexander Lukashenko has said that regular vodka shots and saunas will help combat the deadly COVID-19 virus.

Lukashenko, 65, has been president of Belarus, described by Western opponents as ‘Europe’s last dictatorship’, since the office was created in 1994.

The Belarusian president, who once led an All-Union Leninist Young Communist League chapter in Mogilev City from 1977 to 1978, offered his advice on COVID-19 prevention, saying: “Wash your hands more frequently, and eat all your meals, breakfast, lunch and dinner, on time.

“I’ve been joking lately that you should not only wash your hands, but drink 40-50 grammes of alcohol and this will push the virus out of the system.”

He added that drinking vodka should be avoided when at work.

The president also said that a sauna two or three times a week will be beneficial to the body, adding: “The Chinese have suggested that the virus does not survive in temperatures over 60 degrees Celsius.”

During a meeting with Belarusian ministers, Lukashenko stressed that he is more concerned about the economic stagnation that COVID-19 is causing rather than the virus itself, according to local media.

Netizen ‘00’ said: “40 grammes? He is very funny, what can you do with this amount? Spray it up your nose?”

‘Igor Grigoriev’ remarked: “He is ready to propose anything to please the average citizen.”

The ViralTab page is created by and dedicated to professional, independent freelance journalists. It is a place for us to showcase our work. When our news is sold to our media partners, we will include the link here.