'Black Friday' timeline

18:40

On 19 December, mobile operators Velcom and MTS dropped equipment selling schemes, BelTA reports.

The measure is said to be temporary. Relaunch timing for selling scheme is to be announced later.

17:45

Alyaksandr Lukashenka said that next year the main focus in Belarus will be on cost-cutting.

"From the new year onwards we will mainly focus on major cost-cutting. We are too relaxed regarding our finances."

16:30

30% currency purchasing fee will probably last until February 1, 2015 - a date given to tut.by in one of the commercial banks.

16:10

National Bank is solving the issue of foreign currency shortage. It was announced by First Deputy Chairman of the National Bank Taras Nadolny, interfax.by reports.

Nadolny said there were complaints about the lack of currency in exchange offices. "Now we are solving these issues, it was ordered in foreign banks, there will be more of it," said Nadolny about the currency. He added that the planes with currency are already approaching Belarus.

16:00

"What to do? Not go to exchange offices! There shouldn't be lack of currency, it is a technical issue: some bank may not get currency on time. But if you need it, and there are a lot of people - stand in line!" Piotr Prakapovich commented on the exchange office craze.

15:45

Within a few hours the rate of US dollar to Belarusian ruble in Vilnius, in Medicinos Bankas, increased from 13.5 to 22 thousands.

15:30

Some electronics stores have people queuing to buy TV sets, refrigerators, monitors. Sellers predict imminent change in prices.

14:40

Statement by the President Alyaksandr Lukashenka: "Do not worry: whatever happens in our country, even during the worst-case scenario, we will still stabilize the country in six months thanks to the system which we have created in Belarus - a rigid system of vertical power, strict requirements ... and if, God forbid, the situation changes drastically, we will instantly pull all the levers and   stabilize it ... we will get out of any situation, because we are not the ones we were a dozen or two dozen years ago."

"So do not whinge and sigh, get ready for the Christmas and New Year," said Alyaksandr Lukashenka.

14:30

"People are leaving exchange offices. Queues are still there, but the people are gradually leaving," says Euroradio correspondent who is on the streets of Minsk.

Meanwhile, some banks no longer sell the currency at all. New rules for currency sale with a 30% fee take effect tomorrow, December 20.

14:20

Experts predict the emergence of black market. "People do not understand why they are treated with languuage of threats and their money is blocked, so that they can not even use it during the new year holidays. If this continues, "gray" market will grow. And then the worst may begin when people begin to take their deposits from banks," economist Yaraslau Ramanchuk told Euroradio.

14:00

Information sites. TUT.BY, charter97.org, belaruspartisan.org would not open.

13:30

Dollar exchange rate in Internet shops reaches 16 thousand. "Today we are selling goods on the basis of 16 thousand rubles to the dollar," Euroradio was told in one of the shops.

12:45

The non-cash dollar rate rose to 20 thousands. "Currently,the selling rate of the dollar on plastic card accounts is 20 thousand rubles," BSB Bank official told Euroradio.

12:30

The site of the National Bank published a decree on the 30% foreign currency purchase commission. The actual rate of the dollar rises to 14,150.

12:20

Bank sites stop working.

12.00

Foreign currency trading moved to Saturday 20 December. "Bidding will take place tomorrow," its staff told Euroradio.

11:00

National Bank bans trade in installments. "Installment plans are no longer available. It is a National Bank resolution," Elektrasila employee told Euroradio. Cell phone shops also stopped selling goods by installments.

10:45

A number of banks disabled Mobile Bank and Mobile Banking services.

10:30

Media reports claim there will be no currency trading on the Belarusian Currency and Stock Exchange today. At the stock exchange Euroradio received confirmation that trading operations were postponed until 20 December.

10:00

Deputy Prime Minister and former President of the National Bank Piotr Prakapovich speaks at a joint meeting of the Council of the Republic and the House of Representatives. "Belarus is an independent state. It cannot be guided by certain decisions in other countries. We are not going to follow Russia, the devaluation of the national currency. And there is no need," he told reporters.

8:00 Friday.

Queues to exchange offices. Most of them start work with currency supply.

Night from Thursday to Friday, December 19

People queue to 24/7 exchange offices, people are trying to buy dollars and euros. Selling rate starts at 11,000 and the buying rate at 11,800.

photo tut.by