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PM Marković at PMQs: We have been successful in dealing with coronavirus, which was re-imported from Serbia due to irresponsible behaviour by several individuals

Published on: Jun 24, 2020 • 7:57 PM Author: PR Service
Prime Minister Duško Marković said today in the Parliament that the state has invested enormous effort and money to delay the coronavirus outbreak, to prevent its spread and to eliminate it to the greatest extent and preserve the health and lives of citizens, but that the virus returned due to the irresponsible behaviour by several individuals who attended football match in Belgrade or traveled to Tutin.

"Montenegro started the fight against this plague on time, back in January. We have done everything to delay the outbreak, to suppress it at that stage to a level that can be controlled. Then immediately in March, the Government adopted the first package of measures that had a predominantly socio-economic character. After these first, urgent measures, we conducted a comprehensive dialogue with all involved social actors with the aim of preparing a second package of measures, which we directed towards those who need it most. The goal was to preserve the substance of our economy, and to keep the chances of development realistic and certain. I believe we have succeeded to the greatest extent. The gross fiscal effect of the second package of measures amounted to EUR 75 million. In addition, the Government has formed a special team that is intensively preparing a third package of measures, which will primarily have developmental character. Developmental – because we must see this crisis as a chance to unite forces, mobilise potential and entrepreneurial energy; because our long-term goal is to reduce import dependence, especially in those areas where we have comparative advantages; because we need to preserve and secure existing jobs, and provide new ones. We know that it will not be easy, but the determination, responsibility and perseverance we have shown in dealing with the pandemic are the best guarantee that we will successfully deal with all other challenges," said the Prime Minister, answering a question from the MP Group of the Democratic Party of Socialists on the measures taken by the Government regarding the second wave of coronavirus.

The Prime Minister expressed confidence that Montenegro will win the fight against coronavirus, but pointed out that the irresponsibility of individuals leads to the import and re-spread of the virus.

"We have seen that the largest number of new cases of the disease at this time can be clearly and undoubtedly connected with only a few individuals, and what characterizes them is the fact that they arose by directly circumventing the measures and recommendations of the Government and the Ministry of Health. The presence at the football match in Belgrade can be directly linked to the cluster from Budva, which currently has 11 patients, but also three additional cases of virus importation that have not yet resulted in secondary disease, while as many as 31 cases in Rožaje cluster spread to Bar, Ulcinj and Berane are connected with illegal cross-border movement to the municipality of Tutin in Serbia. A total of 42 out of 59 cases or 76%. Also, epidemiological research is underway for 12 new cases, with similar indications of virus importation. Science is clear about one thing, and that is that in case of non-compliance with prevention measures, especially social distancing, wearing masks and hand hygiene, it is very likely and possible that there will be a mass disease again even before autumn, or before we expected. When it comes to the current level of disease in our country, what is worrying is the fact that we are again exposed to importation from more countries and in even more locations than in March, as well as the fact that the number of contacts made by patients is very high. Of particular concern is the way in which the virus was imported at the same time, which indicates a low level of collective responsibility, but also a low level of personal sense of caution and the danger of infection," said the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister said that there is not a single valid scientific evidence that would indicate the weakening of the virus, that it is not known how long the epidemic will last, what will be its intensity and further consequences, whether the virus will recur, and in what form, when we will have a vaccine or medication.

The Prime Minister commended all institutions and called on the citizens to contribute to overcoming the crisis, preserving health and life, but also to preserve our economy and financial system as much as possible.

"The task of the whole society is to show, in these conditions, perhaps in an even better and more purposeful way, what many other tourist destinations will show – that we are responsible and that tourists will be safe in our country. I am convinced that we will respond to all these challenges in the same way as we did in the first phase of the pandemic," Prime Minister Duško Marković concluded.

PUBLIC RELATIONS SERVICE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF MONTENEGRO


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