Those caught without mask to be fined, establishments to be closed immediately: 2 laws are changing

In addition to charging fines on the spot, there will be the possibility to immediately shut down establishments where measures are violated

The Crisis HQ for the fight against coronavirus made a decision at today's session to tighten control of the implementation of anti-epidemiological measures, and as Telegraf.rs has learned, in order to sanction violations, amendments to two laws have already been made, which would enable that.

According to what we learned, the Law on Protection of the Population from Infectious Diseases and the Law on Misdemeanors will be changed. A source from the HQ told Telegraf.rs that in that way, fines for violations will be collected on the spot, but this will also allow the authorities to shut down establishments where the measures are not respected.

"That would allow imposing mandatory fines on the spot, and immediate collection, and that brings the possibility of immediately closing those facilities which do not implement measures. By amending those laws, the Communal Police should be included in the job of controlling the observance of measures along with sanitary inspectors, as is the case now," said our source from the Crisis HQ.

He addeds that the proposals for changes to these two documents are ready, that this was also discussed during earlier sessions of the Crisis HQ.

"The government should adopt these changes at the first session under urgent procedure, and then in the Assembly of Serbia, as soon as it starts working," our interlocutor adds.

Immunologist Srdja Jankovic said today after the session of the Crisis HQ that they are working on a legal framework, which would enable those who violate the measures to be sanctioned.

Asked if that means that we do not have a legal framework for such fines, he explained that we do have one, but that the goal of this meeting was to improve it.

Jankovic appealed on citizens to respect the measures, and on the authorities to control their observance so that they would not end up looking at situations that could, he says, cost us dearly.

In practice, all this means that the fine of 5,000 dinars, which is the amount for not wearing a mask indoors, would be charged immediately.

(Telegraf.rs)