However, despite the countrys president Alexander Lukashenkos attempts to downplay the threat posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, which he has described as a western psychosis, and insistence that the best way to combat it is to work outside in the fields on a tractor, the populace are gradually waking up to the dangers posed by the virus.
That, in turn, has had an effect on football attendances, and people have begun to stay away from stadiums. So now one club has come up with a novel way of filling their ground to maintain the appearance of normality.
Reigning league champions Dynamo Brest have invited fans from all round the world to buy virtual tickets online. In return, they get the chance to have photos of their faces pasted on top of fashion mannequins which are seated inside the stadium. They also get a match day programme sent to their home address, although, as this is printed in Belarussian, few will be able to read it!
A recent match featured fans from around the world, with virtual supporters from the United Kingdom, Russia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates all in attendance to watch the game.
All money raised from the initiative is being donated to local efforts to combat the deadly virus.
The decision to play on means that Belarus, previous a footballing backwater has attracted a whole new army of fans worldwide, desperate to get their fix of their favourite sport somehow. Matches are being broadcast on neighbouring Russian TV, whilst online Facebook pages set up in support of the local clubs are getting thousands of new members overseas.
However, although the traditionally secretive authorities in Belarus have admitted to only one death so far from coronavirus, there is no reason why the country should be any more immune from it than anywhere else. Despite Lukashenkos latest assertion to his citizens to drink vodka to ward off the effects of it, the dummies might be the safest supporters in the Dynamo stadium.