LOCAL PRESS

Brnabic: We will withdraw the decision on informing, we do not want to cast a shadow on our work (RTS)

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic told the morning news of Radio and Television of Serbia (RTS) that at the request of President Aleksandar Vucic, the decision banning anyone but the Crisis Staff from releasing information about the coronavirus pandemic, would be revoked.

She says the goal of this decision was to give only complete, verified and correct information.

“In order to avoid casting a shadow on everything that we have been done so far, we will revoke the decision,” said Brnabic. Although I believe this conclusion protects all citizens, medical professionals and families from fake news and unverified information, so as not to cast a shadow over everything we have painstakingly done, the government will withdraw this conclusion today before the crisis response teams’ session, she reiterated. She said she believes the government will now have to spend much more time combating fake news on a daily basis, she stressed. In that regard, she cited the fake news on a 24-hour ban on movement or on a lack of equipment in clinical centers. We will fight more, we will need extra effort, said Brnabic, adding that this state of emergency in Serbia is indeed a state of war. She explains that there are measures that will be considered today before the introduction of a 24-hour curfew. According to her, the citizens will be informed in order to be able to organize themselves and there is no need to panic. Brnabic stressed that the solidarity of citizens is needed, and that the more disciplined we are, the less restrictive the measures will be, but otherwise the state will not shy away from taking even more restrictive measures. She thanked the large number of citizens who respect the measures and pointed out that there are problems in Belgrade, which is a huge focal point, especially during weekends. “It’s not a problem to violate curfew, to disguise yourself, but that in doing this you endanger yourself and some other people. You are not acting in solidarity with others. There are measures – whether to close down a hotspot to prevent the virus from spreading in cities and municipalities where we still have no infections, which is great news… There are some other measures up to a complete ban on movement other than to the store and pharmacy on weekends, where we see that the worst situation is, in the sense that people go out – every weekend will have increasingly nice weather starting 6 April, and we follow that. There are some other measures before the introduction of a 24-hour curfew, and we will discuss some of these today. People will be informed. It seems to me that as society we function better now. We said when we entered this fourth week that we needed iron discipline, we said that we must win this fight together and that is the discipline of society – personal responsibility, self-awareness, solidarity. Because we need to worry about who will need these ventilators tomorrow,” Brnabic concluded

Djuric: No blockade of trucks (FoNet/Tanjug/RTV)

The Head of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Marko Djuric said on Wednesday that there was no blockade for trucks towards Serbia proper, but asked the European Union to urgently react to the so-called reciprocal measures because, as he said, the trucks with wheat for all Kosovo residents waited at the crossings because of Pristina insists on Belgrade’s recognition of Kosovo’s independence, FoNet reported. He said Serbia’s ban existed during the curfew imposed to prevent coronavirus spreading, but that the trucks carrying staples for the Albanians in Kosovo too, were exempted from the ban on Monday.

Two more planes with equipment purchased by Serbia arrive in cooperation with EU (Tanjug)

The Serbian Ministry for EU Integration announced yesterday that two more planes landed at Nikola Tesla Airport with medical equipment and supplies provided by Serbia to combat the COVID-19 disease epidemic. The European Union is fully financing the cost of the flights, as part of a €15 million emergency package to help Serbia fight coronavirus. These flights, organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), provide the fastest possible delivery of equipment and materials because using a large cargo aircraft maximizes space while saving valuable time and cost. Minister for European Integration and National IPA Coordinator and Coordinator of Donor and Development Assistance Jadranka Joksimovic expressed gratitude to the EU Delegation to Serbia and Ambassador Sem Fabrizi for their prompt response to her request for additional financing of flights for the delivery of medical equipment, and announced the continuation of work in this regard. We had a total of four cargo planes so far with EU-funded transport costs, that bring important medical supplies to help Serbia fight COVID-19, Fabrizi said. More cargo planes are expected to arrive in the next few days. This support is part of a €93 million financial package for Serbia announced by Commissioner Varhelyi last week, Fabrizi said. Another EU-funded flight with medical supplies provided by Serbia is expected to land today, 2 April.

Another plane arrives from China with medical assistance (Tanjug)

Another plane from China with medical aid to Serbia has landed at Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla Airport on 1 April. It is a donation from the Chinese State Defense Industry Agency and several other companies from that country. It includes medical devices and various medical devices that will help Serbia fight COVID-19. The plane was greeted at the airport by Serbian Defense Minister Aleksandar Vulin.

Fourteen million masks shipped from China (RTS)

A plane carrying Chinese experts and 14 million protective masks arrived today from China at Nikola Tesla Airport in Belgrade. 14 Chinese experts have arrived in Serbia to help install two machines, purchased from Chinese company Health Care, which will help our country make masks on its own. The two machines will be able to produce 192,000 masks a day.

In Serbia 111 people tested positive, totaling to 1171 cases (RTS)

Currently there are 1171 positive cases of coronavirus COVID-19 in Serbia. Until 2 April, the National reference laboratory of Torlak Institute tested 5008 people who fulfilled the criteria for testing (staying in the area of intensive transmission of virus and presence of symptoms of infection of the respiratory tract). Since the last report on 01 April at 15:00, 637 persons were tested, and 111 of them were positive.

SzS: Government should introduce possible movement ban without blaming people (Beta)

The Alliance for Serbia (SzS) condemned the text messages that were sent to the population on 31 March, causing panic, and assessed that this was completely undeserved, because the people show solidarity and are enduring heroically in the crisis caused by the corona virus. “If the experts assess that a greater degree of movement banning should be introduced, then the authorities must make that decision without blaming its own people. We saw that, in normal countries, that can be solved in a civilized manner. We urge the experts to resist, by knowledge and patriotism, the further harassment and disturbing of the people,” reads the statement of the Alliance. It was also added that, even if the authorities are panicking, they must act calmly and in an organized fashion, because thousands of lives are at stake. “All the mistakes, from the invitation to shopping, to inadequate protection in medical institutions, cannot be obscured by the hysterical pressuring of the people. Nobody needs five top experts wasting time daily in attempts to hide or justify the authorities’ mistakes. We need one professional who will, in a calm and composed fashion, present accurate data and instructions and reply to the media’s questions,” the statement reads.

Lawyers question legality of state of emergency in Serbia (FoNet)

A group of six lawyers file a request to Serbia’s Constitutional Court to consider if the Decision on Declaration of the State of Emergency brought on 15 March was in line with the country’s highest legal act, FoNet reported on Wednesday. The lawyers say the Constitution stipulates that the state of emergency can be introduced when the survival of the country and its citizens is endangered, not their safety. Besides, the infectious diseases pandemic or epidemic are defined as a natural disaster and not as a danger to the public’s existence. They added that the Decision was brought although the conditions for the state of emergency were not met and that it wasn’t declared by the parliament but by co-signatures of the parliament speaker, prime minister and the president. The lawyers say that the introduction of the state of emergency is in no way a proportional or adequate measure for the goal it declared as the reason.

REGIONAL PRESS

Mandic to replace Radoncic at helm of coordination Body until CoM’s final decision (Dnevni avaz)

The Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Council of Ministers held a special session on Wednesday and the Ministers were informed about the decision of B&H Security Minister Fahrudin Radoncic to withdraw from the post of the President of B&H Coordination Body. The Chairman of the CoM and Ministers thanked Radoncic for his dedicated engagement. Until the decision of the CoM, the post of President of the Coordination Body will be performed by deputy president Aleksandar Mandic.

Novalic meets with Heads of Caucuses in FB&H HoR, presents plan of economic measures aimed at mitigating economic consequences of coronavirus pandemic (Hayat)

Federation of B&H (FB&H) Prime Minister Fadil Novalic and the Heads of Caucuses in the FB&H House of Representatives (HoR) held a meeting in premises of the FB&H government in Sarajevo on Wednesday. After the meeting, Novalic presented a plan of economic measures aimed at mitigating the economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic. According to the plan, it is a priority to subsidize taxes and contributions for all workers in the real sector. Novalic explained that all employers who have not dismissed their workers since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic will be entitled to the subsidies for taxes and contributions from the FB&H government. “The measures will apply to everyone, from craftsmen to major companies. Two funds of a total of BAM 1 billion will be established in order to help the economy,” Novalic explained. According to data of the FB&H Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, up to 7,000 workers have lost their job since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in the FB&H. The only financial compensation they are entitled to is a compensation from the employment bureau.

FB&H Minister of Labor and Social Policy Vesko Drljaca stated that the FB&H government does not have legal grounds to prevent companies from dismissing workers, but it can support employers who decide not to dismiss workers by taking over a part of their obligations towards those workers. SDA leader Bakir Izetbegovic agreed that the coronavirus pandemic will leave a huge impact on the economy. He assessed that economic recovery can be expected only after the coronavirus pandemic starts to decline, but it would be inappropriate to predict when it could happen. “Budgets are actually fictitious. Budgets are planned. It is now necessary to do a good budget rebalance that will focus on the fight against the coronavirus, i.e. on human health, and then on economic recovery as well. We should not allow that parts of the economy in Bosnia and Herzegovina decay in this situation,” Izetbegovic stated.

Dodik: Budget of B&H institutions will not be adopted due to the lack of assessment on fiscal revenues (RTRS/N1)

In an interview for N1, member of B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik talked about recent developments concerning Coronavirus pandemic. Among other things, Dodik said although the situation is serious, it is not time for panic but for responsible behavior of all levels of authorities in tackling Coronavirus. He stated that the situation caused by Coronavirus did slow down economic growth in B&H but did not destroy it as 2014 floods did. He underlined that it is of key importance in the current situation to prepare for the scenario where 10 percent drop of economy will be recorded. “In order to adopt comprehensive measures for recovery of economy and new beginning that will be necessary, we need to prepare a program and activities of authorities,” explained Dodik. He added that the Central Bank of B&H (CB B&H) should be engaged in this segment. The Member of B&H Presidency stressed that at this moment the CB B&H is inert and is not useful for citizens, adding that this drastically reduced the possibility of successful crisis management. He also stated that the budget of B&H institutions will not be adopted due to the lack of assessment on fiscal revenues. Dodik assessed that once its adoption is discussed, budget of B&H institutions will be lower for some 30 percent. Talking about supplying of B&H market with basic groceries, Dodik said that during his recent meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, it was agreed that the Federation of B&H and Republika Srpska (RS) will each be allowed to buy 15,000 tons of wheat in Serbia. “Consequently, we can say that B&H market will be supplied with basic groceries until end of this year” explained Dodik. He also emphasized that good start is of huge importance for elimination of consequences of the current crisis, adding that this is why cooperation of levels is necessary. Dodik underlined that this is the main reason why the RS officials in B&H institutions decided to start again with participation in decision-making processes. He stressed that many experts believe that in case citizens apply strict self-protection measures, the peak of Coronavirus crisis will occur in two or three weeks. He also believes that the real number of citizens infected with Coronavirus is significantly higher than the official number. He called on all citizens to respect measures, recommendations and orders of competent bodies and institutions.

Foreign ambassadors compliment domestic leaders for functioning without blockades and quarrels in fight against coronavirus pandemic (EuroBlic)

Many noticed that the authorities in B&H at all levels currently function without any blockades and quarrels and even foreign ambassadors, who are used to completely opposite situation, noticed this. Both Ambassador of Japan to B&H Hideyuki Sakamoto and Ambassador of Germany to B&H Margret Uebber said that the authorities at all levels introduced strong and suitable measures to prevent spreading of coronavirus and even High Representative Valentin Inzko complimented domestic politicians. Namely, the Office of the High Representative (OHR) issued a press statement several days ago, saying that the High Representative fully supports coordinated measures undertaken by authorities at different levels in B&H to fight coronavirus pandemic. “These difficult days showed that political and institutional leaders can efficiently work together for the same cause. Continuation of close cooperation and coordination, as well as urgent focus on targeted measures, can empower B&H authorities at all levels to adequately respond to the crisis and protect health of population”, the OHR’s press statement noted. US Ambassador to B&H Eric Nelson too complimented cooperation of domestic politicians. Nelson said that authorities in B&H reacted in a timely and smart fashion when it comes to fight against coronavirus and they realized that they must act together for the benefit of citizens. “I think citizens are encouraged to see that leaders are taking responsibility. A good coordination, focus and unity is needed now more than ever and I emphasize this constantly in my contacts with leaders throughout the country” Nelson said and concluded that the joint statement of the Presidency of B&H was a good signal for citizens and leaders of this country to stand united because the virus does not recognize borders or ethnic affiliation, but it attacks everyone.

RS Main Coordination Team thanks Serbian leadership for first shipment of medical aid delivered to RS in fight against COVID-19 (RTRS)

The first contingent of Serbia’s assistance to the RS in regards to tackling Coronavirus arrived to the RS on Tuesday evening and it was delivered to the University-Clinical Center (UKC) of the RS in Banja Luka. This contingent consists of medicaments, 10 ventilators, 30,000 protective masks and other protective equipment. RS Prime Minister Radovan Viskovic said that considering the fact Serbia itself is facing problem of Coronavirus epidemic, this assistance is evidence of strong relations between Serbia and the RS.  Reporter noted that abovementioned contingent of assistance is part of agreement reached in Belgrade several days ago by Serbian President and member of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Presidency Milorad Dodik. In a statement for RTRS, Dodik underlined that this is worthy assistance in both, material and symbolic sense. RS Minister of Healthcare Alen Seranic underlined that health system of the RS gave its maximum effort to successfully deal with Coronavirus. Seranic went on to saying that equipment provided by Serbia will be distributed to health institutions in the RS in line with their needs. He also said the RS is entering third segment of suppression of Coronavirus epidemics by increasing capacities of its health institutions.

Croatia approves construction of nuclear waste disposal site regardless of B&H’s disapproval (FTV)

Croatian Ministry of Environmental Protection and Energy has approved the ‘Cerkezova’ barracks location for the construction of the radioactive waste disposal site, regardless of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) disapproval. Such a move will endanger the lives of 250,000 people who live in municipalities along the Una River. Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations B&H, Stasa Kosarac said that he found out about this information in media. Kosarac sent a letter to the B&H Ministry of Foreign Affairs demanding an official stance of the Croatian authorities. Kosarac convened a meeting with the Croatian Ambassador to B&H on Thursday. He also spoke to Head of EU Delegation to B&H Johann Sattler by phone and reiterated B&H’s stance on the construction of this site. Director of the Croatian Fund for Nuclear Waste Management Hrvoje Prpic said that a hysteria has been created in the public around Trgovska Gora, stressing that environment impact will be controlled in line with strictest standards in the construction of such landfill centers. Kosarac said on Wednesday in case that it is proven true that competent authorities in Croatia approved the construction of the disputable landfill, he believes that this is a very problematic and scandalous decision as it endangers 250,000 people.

Environmental activists warn that regardless of a number of protests of citizens and activists on B&H and Croatian side of the border, the Croatian authorities have not given up on the project. Heads of cities and municipalities in Croatia near Trgovska Gora are also against the construction. Citizens of Novi Grad in the RS expressed discontent with abovementioned decision. Head of Novi Grad Municipality Miroslav Drljaca said that competent authorities of B&H need to react to the abovementioned decision and conduct radical measures to prevent implementation of Croatian Government’s project to form nuclear waste disposal at Trgovska Gora location. RS Minister of Spatial Planning, Construction and Environment Srebrenka Golic underlined that this decision does not imply Croatian Ministry of Environment approved use of the disputable location for formation of nuclear waste disposal, but that environment impact study will be conducted there. Golic also said that the RS is planning to use all legal mechanisms at its disposal in order to prevent implementation of the abovementioned project. She stressed that B&H also has radioactive waste requiring disposal. Minister Golic emphasized that if Croatia resumes to insist on forming nuclear waste disposal at Trgovska Gora, B&H could also build similar nuclear waste disposal near the border with Croatia. Kosarac deems that this problem should be solved in diplomatic manner.

PIC: International community will assist B&H (Oslobodjenje)

The Peace Implementation Council Steering Board (PIC SB) stated in a statement published on Wednesday that the international community will continue to cooperate with all relevant institutions in B&H to provide material and other assistance to B&H to fight COVID-19. PIC SB stresses the need for a more coordinated and forward-looking approach in B&H, also aiming to minimize the socio-economic impact of the crisis. “The PIC SB underlines that the current health crisis in B&H can be effectively addressed if the authorities show unity and good governance, based on respect for the constitutional and legal framework of B&H at all levels, demonstrating respect for the rule of law, transparency and accountability, in the interest of all citizens. B&H authorities should commit to measures that will enhance economic recovery and longer-term fiscal stability. At the same time, it is important that budgets at all levels of authority in B&H are rebalanced to reflect the current priorities,” the statement reads.

Letter of intent towards IMF for quick financing to help battle COVID-19 approved (O kanal)

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) prepared a minimum of 65 million Euros for B&H to deal with issues in the health and economic sectors. The IMF stated that the Currency Board of the Central Bank of B&H represents the pillar of stability, contributes to the low rate of inflation and the trust into the currency. It was stressed that any attempt of using of foreign exchange reserve for fiscal needs undermines the Currency Board and represents a threat to the financial stability of B&H, as well as a risk for significant inflation movements. Fiscal Council of B&H adopted on Wednesday the Letter of Intent with the IMF in which B&H requests urgent financial assistance for suppression of spreading of Coronavirus. Following a session of the Fiscal Council organized by Chair of B&H Council of Ministers (CoM) Zoran Tegeltija, representatives of the Council stated that funds B&H get will be used for health sector and financing of measures aimed to provide economic stabilization.

Covic with Ivantsov: Everything must be done in B&H to prevent the crisis from being prolonged (Nezavisne novine)

The speaker of the House of Peoples (HoP) of the B&H parliament Dragan Covic talked with Russian Ambassador to B&H Petr Ivantsov over the phone. The statement issued by the press office of the Parliament of B&H reads that Covic and Ivantsov talked about measures taken in B&H with the goal of curbing the spread of coronavirus infections in the country, and discussed existing capacities in economy and healthcare sector. They underlined that now is the time to take decisive and comprehensive measures to limit negative effects of the crisis on healthcare, economic and security systems in B&H. The statement also reads that Covic and Ivantsov underlined the need to urgently protect socially vulnerable groups, workers and companies in B&H, as well as to protect the citizens of B&H in general. Furthermore, the two officials analyzed current political situation in the country, and concluded that political cooperation and stability are of key importance for managing the crisis. They also underlined that everything must be done to prevent the crisis from being prolonged. Covic thanked Ivantsov for his support to officials in B&H and their dealing with the epidemiological crisis, as well as for Russian readiness to provide assistance to B&H and Western Balkan countries, reads the statement issued by the Parliament of B&H.

Roth calls on political actors to implement unity presented during coronavirus crisis in their everyday approach (FTV)

German Minister of State for Europe at the Federal Foreign Office Michael Roth talked to Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Minister of Foreign Affairs Bisera Turkovic on Wednesday. On this occasion, Roth stated that Germany will give B&H support on its European path. The ongoing pandemic has untied people in B&H and across the globe and Roth commented this by saying: “This is why I want to encourage you all to take responsibility for your country and to use in political daily activities this harmony and unity which you are now showing during this fight against the pandemic. I am saying this as a politician, and not as a diplomat”. Turkovic said that the B&H Council of Ministers, the competent ministries and the state-level coordination body reacted promptly to the coronavirus with exceptionally good measures.

B&H sees new fatalities; number of patients 512 (N1)

A COVID-19 patient who also suffered from several chronic disorders died Wednesday afternoon, healthcare authorities in the northern city Banja Luka said Thursday morning. Also, 8 more persons tested positive for the novel coronavirus in the northwestern Una-Sana Canton (USK) and 14 more in the southern Herzegovina region, bringing the country’s total number to 512. Of 34 tested patients in USK, 8 turned out positive, according to healthcare minister Nermina Cemalovic, who stressed that all the patients had close contact with confirmed cases and were self-isolated. In Herzegovina, 6 tested positive in Siroki Brijeg, 5 in Citluk and one each in Mostar, Jablanica, and Grude. Jablanica has been identified as a new hotspot. A patient who was hospitalized at the Sarajevo’s interstitial lung disease clinic Podhrastovi died as a consequence of the coronavirus infection, Sarajevo University Clinical Centre general manager Sebija Izetbegovic told N1 on Thursday morning. The patient’s seriously deteriorated health condition caused the death, according to Izetbegovic. Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) has recorded 512 COVID-19 patients by Thursday morning, with 20 who fully recovered and 15 fatalities.

Banja Luka City Crisis HQ passes new measures in fight against COVID-19 pandemic (RTRS)

Due to the increasing number of Coronavirus infection cases as well as increasing number of death cases caused by COVID-19, the Emergency Situation Headquarters of the City of Banja Luka decided to beef up protective measures. Although the RS Emergency Situation HQ changed measures concerning the ban of work of shops selling technology, construction and water installation equipment, these measures will remain in force in Banja Luka. Representatives of Banja Luka Urgent Situation HQ underlined that there will be no liberalization of abovementioned measures until 5 April. However, public markets in Banja Luka are allowed to work. Mayor of Banja Luka Igor Radojicic said that in order to enable citizens over age of 65 – who are allowed to leave their homes on Tuesdays and Fridays – to fulfill their obligations, there will be the general ban of movement on Friday in the period between 7am and 10am except for people above age of 65, those providing assistance to abovementioned categories and those whose jobs require movement in this period. Also, the Urgent Situation HQ provided free delivery of medicaments to elderly citizens.

Kosovo government abolishes one hundred percent tariffs on raw materials and products from B&H (BHT1)

The Kosovo government abolished one hundred percent tariffs on raw materials and products from B&H sixteen months after they were introduced. Goods from B&H will not be a subject to measures of reciprocity, unlike goods from Serbia. Namely, Kosovo will gradually establish reciprocity with Serbia, while tariffs with B&H are being abolished without reciprocity.

President of the B&H Foreign Trade Chamber Vjekoslav Vukovic said that the B&H Foreign Trade Chamber is encouraging companies that have certain goods which they cannot export to the EU market or to some other countries because of the coronavirus pandemic to turn to the Kosovo market. According to analyses of the B&H Foreign Trade Chamber, Kosovo market brought BAM 160 million to B&H every year. Entrepreneurs and analyst in B&H welcome the decision of the Kosovo government, but they deem that fast realization of trade in goods will not happen soon. B&H Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations Stasa Kosarac welcomed on Wednesday the decision of the Kosovo Government and said that he has not received the official information on this move or the CEFTA’s stance.

Police in Istria charge two with spreading false information about coronavirus (HRT)

Istrian police have filed charges against a 29-year-old woman from Vrsar and a 32-year old man from Porec for disseminating false information about the coronavirus epidemic in Croatia.

The first individual was charged for impersonating as a doctor at Pula Hospital and posting on social media about the lack of PPE for health care workers at the medical facility. The second individual was charged for trying to organize a campaign against social distancing via a Facebook group called “Let’s Take to the Streets and End the Coronavirus”. Police said they had acted on anonymous complaints from citizens and were able to identify the woman posing as a doctor on social media. In addition to falsely presenting herself as a doctor, she was also providing advice on COVID-19 prevention and on the number of coronavirus cases in the town of Vrsar. Locals complained she was stirring panic in the community. She has been charged with disturbing the peace, a misdemeanor offense. In the second case, police are charging the man from Porec with a criminal offense for public endangerment, that is, encouraging the spread of a communicable disease. The man is accused of moderating a social media group that aimed to encourage the public not to follow the coronavirus prevention guidelines issued by public health authorities. The Facebook group he initiated reportedly had more than two thousand members. On 30 March, the suspect posted a call for a public gathering at a location in Porec in protest of the social distancing measures.

In Croatia, 1011 infected with coronavirus, another person dies (N1)

In Croatia, there are 48 newly diagnosed people positive on the coronavirus, bringing a total to 1011, Health Minister Vili Beros said at a press conference by the National Headquarters on Thursday. Another person has died, so the total number of deaths is now 7. There are 35 people on the respirators, while 88 patients have recovered.

The number of infected people with coronavirus in Montenegro 140 (CDM)

Assistant Director of the Institute of Public Health Senad Begic announced that there are 140 coronavirus patients in Montenegro. “It is a difficult, but not the hardest day for us in Montenegro. We can expect an increase in the number of patients in the coming period. So far, 1,030 people have been tested. With 140 patients, the incidence rate is 22.2 percent. All this is happening is 14 days ago, all contacts and transmission. Obviously, the number of contacts was higher than we expected,” Begic said. He says the incidence rate in Montenegro is similar to that in Croatia. “These figures speak to the burden on the health system. If we compare the epidemiological curves with the countries of the region, it has a milder flow in our country, which means that by all measures we have succeeded in slowing down the epidemiological curve,” Begic said. Head of the Operational Section of the National Coordinating Body for Infectious Diseases Vesna Miranovic said that there were 1,028 persons in quarantines.

Number of infected persons by municipalities:

• Podgorica: 61
• Tuzi: 34
• Bar: 10
• Ulcinj: 9
• Andrijevica: 7
• Bijelo Polje: 6
• Budva: 4
• Herceg Novi: 4
• Tivat: 2
• Nikšić: 2
• Danilovgrad: 1

Employees in quarantine are entitled to full salary (Dan)

Employees in quarantine and isolation are entitled to 70 or 100% of their regular salary, said representatives of the Administration for Inspection Affairs. They said that a company shall pay full salary if the employee hasn’t been forbidden to work. If the employer is not performing activities, he/she shall pay 70% of the salary to the employee. In case employer is not performing activities die to the ban imposed by the competent authority, then all employees are in the same regime without employer’s fault and therefore persons in self-isolation are entitled to 70% of their salary for the previous semester. Vesna Simovic-Zvicer, President of the Court council, says that an employee in isolation should be provided with 100% compensation. Law on Mandatory Health Insurance stipulates that salary during temporary suspension of working activity should be provided to the insured person in the amount of 100%, in case of quarantine diseases among other things.

Filipche: Health system prepared for larger number of patients (MIA)

The health system is prepared to treat a larger number of patients than present and I believe we are prepared for the peak that is expected by the end of April, said Health Minister Venko Filipche on Wednesday. He told a press conference that the system, the number of doctors, specialists, family doctors is properly set up. “I think that the model of treating patients in the Clinic for Infectious Diseases, which capacity will now be doubled with the adjacent field hospital, then in the ‘8 September’ hospital, along with the home treatment, is solid and can be applied in our country. A larger number of patients can be absorbed” said Minister Filipche. Regarding the number of epidemiologists and infectious disease specialists in the country, he said about 60 are working in the Clinic for Infectious Diseases and the rest in departments across the country. “There was a deficit of staff, but a large number of doctors and nurses were employed over the past couple of years. We employed nearly 800 doctors and over 1,000 nurses” added Filipche.

Osmani-Varhelyi: North Macedonia granted access to EU Solidarity Fund (MIA)

Deputy PM for European Affairs Bujar Osmani and Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Oliver Varhelyi held Wednesday a video-conference meeting, discussing the Government’s activities in tackling the COVID-19 challenges and possibilities for enhanced cooperation with EU institutions in this regard. Osmani and Varhelyi referred to EU’s emergency assistance for North Macedonia through re-allocation of a portion of IPA funds, the Secretariat for European Affairs said in a press release. “The immediate support in the amount of EUR 4 million and over EUR 60 million from the IPA funds for social and economic recovery amounts for significant support from the European Union. We are also pleased by the fact that the country is becoming a part of the common European mechanism for COVID-19 protection and joint procurement of medical equipment” said Osmani. Varhelyi said North Macedonia has also been granted access to the EU Solidarity Fund, which will allocate funds for management of the COVID-19 challenges. “Let me also thank you on behalf of the Government for your personal contribution in the historic decision for the start of EU accession negotiations” Osmani told Varhelyi.

Thirty new cases of coronavirus in North Macedonia, total 384 (MIA)

In the past 24 hours, 30 new cases of coronavirus have been registered in the country, 12 in Skopje, 8 in Kumanovo, 9 in Prilep and 1 in Kriva Palanka, bringing the total number of diagnosed cases to 384, the health ministry said. According to the place of residence, so far cases of Covid-19 have been registered in Skopje – 195, Kumanovo – 62, Debar – 47, Stip – 15, Prilep – 21, Tetovo – 13, Struga – 9, Veles – 6, Bitola – 4, Ohrid – 3, Kavadarci – 2, Gostivar – 1, Gevgelija – 2, Strumica – 1, Kriva Palanka – 2 and Kocani – 1 case. Over the past 24 hours 342 tests have been performed, of which 177 through the Institute of Public Health, 20 through the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, 21 through Avicenna, 24 through Biotech, 100 through the Jan Mitrev Clinic.

Manastirliu: Public and non-public educational institutions and nursery schools stay closed down until the end of pandemics (Radio Tirana)

According to an order signed on 1 April by Health Minister Ogerta Manastirliu, all educational institutions will remain closed until the end of the epidemic of COVID-19 infection. The order is given to shut down the activity of public and non-public educational institutions and nursery schools to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection. The first order for the closure of the two-week schools was given following the first occurrence of a coronavirus case in Albania on 9 March until 23 March, while the second order extended the deadline until 3 April. Teaching under the guidance of the Ministry of Education is taking place online, although there are still problems in some areas where there is no internet access.

US assisting Albania, donating laboratory equipment and tests to detect COVID-19 cases (ADN)

The US Embassy announces that USAID is assisting Albania with laboratory supplies, testing equipment, enhancing opportunities for detecting positive cases and tracing case contacts, as well as other measures related to the situation created from coronavirus. In a message on Facebook, the US Embassy writes that over the past 20 years the US has invested over $ 51.8 million in health care in Albania, and over $ 693 million in total. “The United States government, through USAID / Albania, is coordinating assistance with the World Health Organization for the Albanian health authorities in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. USAID is assisting Albania in supplying laboratories with testing equipment, enhancing opportunities for positive case detection and case tracking, and other measures. This assistance is provided following a decades-long partnership. Over the past 20 years, the United States has invested in Albania over $ 51.8 million in health care, and over $ 693 million in total,” the US Embassy said in a statement.

EU Delegation and US Embassy praise Albanian gov’t for repatriation of citizens (Tirana Times)

The repatriation of citizens by the Albanian government was praised by the European Union’s Ambassador to Albania, Luigi Soreca and the US Embassy in Tirana, after over 70 EU citizens and 64 US citizens flew home with Air Albania. Soreca took to twitter to thank Albania for its “concrete support”, calling it “another tangible example of the concrete solidarity that is providing in time of need. ” In a Facebook post, the U.S. Embassy in Tirana also thanked Air Albania, PM Edi Rama and all who showed solidarity and helped U.S. citizens return home. During the past few days, the Embassy notified those who wished to return home but were unable to due to coronavirus outbreak measures, that alternative travel options were available.

In Albania 277 total COVID-19 cases confirmed, 16 victims (Radio Tirana)

A 78-year-old man from Durres who tested positive for the coronavirus died on Thursday in Albania, bringing the number of victims to 16. According to the Public Health Institute, he had been intubated for 3 days and suffered from another illness. Eighteen new coronavirus cases were also confirmed in the last 24 hours in Albania, bringing the total number of infected people to 277. Four of the patients who tested positive are children, who are in stable condition.

So far, tests have been conducted on 1919 people. Out of the total 81 hospitalized patients, 8 are under intensive care, four of whom require ventilators, while the rest of the patients remain in stable condition. Of the 96 tests performed over the last 24 hours, 9 were conducted on doctors who later tested negative. According to the Ministry of Health, the average age of the patients who tested positive for the coronavirus is 50. Currently, the geographical distribution of the infected patients across Albania is as follows:

• Tirana 143 cases
• Durres 30 cases
• Fier 23 cases
• Korça 16 cases
• Shkodra 10 cases
• Has 8 cases
• Elbasan 8 cases
• Kavaja 6 cases
• Lezha 6 cases
• Vlora 5 cases
• Kruja 5 cases
• Lushnje 4 cases
• Tropoja 4 cases
• Puka 4 cases
• Maternity 2 cases
• Mirdita 2 cases
• Berat 1 case

  However, the Ministry of Health also announced that 67 patients who previously tested positive for the coronavirus in Albania have now recovered. However, they will have to be quarantined at home for 14 days. The Albanian government has restricted movement of automobiles and pedestrians throughout the territory by imposing strict curfews from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m., with only one person per household being authorized to move starting from Monday. On Sunday, citizens are prohibited from going out at all. All international air, sea and land travel is banned and schools, kindergartens, bars, restaurants, hotels, stadiums, concert halls and parks are also closed.