National Coordination Body: Obligatory wearing of masks in indoor public places, temporary changes in regime of entry from Bosnia and Herzegovina

The National Coordination Body for Communicable Diseases, at today's session, chaired by President Milutin Simović, made decisions on mandatory re - wearing of protective masks in public places indoor and a temporary change in the regime of entering Montenegro for passengers from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Bearing in mind a dramatic increase in number of infected in the countries of the region and a number of newly infected in Montenegro, a decision was made on wearing protective masks in all public places that are indoors (public markets, markets, shops, supermarkets, public institutions, etc.), with the existing obligation of wearing masks in public passenger transport.

Wearing protective masks is mandatory in an open area, for employees in catering facilities (waiters, bartenders, cooks, etc.).

Analysing the epidemiological situation at the session, it was pointed out that most active cases of coronavirus were imported to Montenegro from Serbia, by irresponsible individuals entering through Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The National Coordination Body decided that the Public Health Institute will temporarily exclude the Bosnia and Herzegovina from the list of countries, from which Montenegro may be entered without a measure of institutional isolation.

Entry into Montenegro from Bosnia and Herzegovina, from today, is possible for citizens of Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and countries from the list of the Public Health Institute with a mandatory negative PCR test of an accredited laboratory, not older than 48 hours. The measure will be applied from today until Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina agree on clear procedures for the exchange of information on the control of individuals coming from third countries to Montenegro, through Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Until this measure is valid, passengers from Bosnia and Herzegovina will not be able to enter Montenegro through the border crossings Šćepan Polje - Hum, on the road Plužine - Foča and Meteljka - Metaljka on the road Pljevlja - Čajniče.

Citizens of Montenegro who found themselves in Bosnia and Herzegovina today, will be sent to home isolation by midnight, after entering Montenegro until they are tested for coronavirus.

In order to further protect the elderly, who in accordance with customs and habits, often participate in funeral rites and condolences, the National Coordination Body recommends for these gatherings to be limited to family and officials (priests and utility workers) and that the condolences should be expressed in passing, without shaking hands and kissing.

PUBLIC RELATIONS SERVICE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF MONTENEGRO 

Session of the National Coordination Body session and statements, PHOTO AND VIDEO: https://www.flickr.com/photos/vladacg/albums/72157714764571827

Statement of Director of Public Health Institute Dr. Boban Mugoša

Due to the fact that we have nine new cases of COVID - 19 in the last four days, the National Coordination Body met earlier today on the proposal of the Public Health Institute.

We concluded that, as I said, we have nine new cases of COVID - 19, of which 8 are imported or are related to import and one case is being tested.

What was shown by the testing was clear, and that is that we have cases that were imported trough path leading across Bosnia and from countries that are not on the list, so we had to react on a trial basis and make some decisions that could ensure that we have safe or mostly safe entry from Bosnia and Herzegovina. So today, a decision will be made that all our citizens and foreigners coming from Bosnia must have a 48-hour PCR test, mostly done in an accredited laboratory.

Statement of Director of the Clinical Centre of Montenegro Dr. Jevto Eraković

As we announced today at the Clinical Centre of Montenegro, we have three hospitalized patients. Two of these patients are in a condition that requires special attention and care, i.e. they have a more severe clinical picture.

Based on communications with colleagues from the Public Health Institute and colleagues from other cities and general hospitals in Montenegro, we have an announcement that a significant number of patients have symptoms similar to COVID - 19 infection, so in the coming period we can certainly expect more infected and safe and a larger number of hospitalized patients.

This certainly warns us that we must be especially careful in the coming period. So, to strictly adhere to all measures recommended by the Public Health Institute and the National Coordination Body.

I will remind you that the measures adopted so far by the National Coordination Body, have absolutely foreseen even such a situations and that individuals and groups in our country have adhered to these measures, we surely would not be in a situation, even today to talk about COVID - 19 infection to this extent.

Therefore, I once again urge all citizens of Montenegro to adhere to the measures, to respect the rules and regulations, which were adopted exclusively for the purpose of the health of the citizens of Montenegro and not to think in any other way.

What I can say before the Clinical Centre of Montenegro and the health system is that we will successfully tackle this challenge, in exactly the same way as we have done so far. But once again, I appeal to the citizens to respect the recommendations, not to think of any other motives than the health of the Montenegrin population, and thus enable us to do our job in the way we have done so far.