Balkans reinstating tough coronavirus measures: State of emergency, closing of clubs, and of borders

Illustration: Nikola Jovanovic

Whether this is the second peak of the first wave or the second wave of coronavirus - no one knows for sure, but what is certain is that the number of infected people is growing dramatically in the entire region. This second outbreak appears to be even more dangerous than the first, and countries in the region are bringing back some old and adopting new measures to stop the spread of the virus.

Recommended

Countries that had lifted the state of emergency after the number of cases fell are considering reintroducing it, with Romania deciding to do so today.

Bosnia and Herzegovina has again declared a state of epidemic in the country, and almost everywhere in the region it is mandatory to wear protective masks indoors, and in some places outdoors as well.

Serbia has had over 10 daily deaths from coronavirus for days, recently reporting a record 18 deaths in a single day. The number of new cases in 24 hours has been between 350 and 390 for a long time.

The situation in the region is alarming, and the borders have been closed once again almost everywhere.

A state of emergency in Romania wherever the number of cases is growing

Romanian Prime Minister Ludovic Orban announced that the state of emergency will be returned in all places in that country where 1,000 or more patients are registered on a daily basis, the Romanian agency Agerpres reported.

Orban explained that endangered rural and urban settlements could be returned to quarantine conditions, depending on the situation.

"We must not wait for one of our loved ones to die from coronavirus in order to wake up and start acting, instead we must accept the fact that a dangerous virus is here, among us, that it is killing and that people get sick from it very easily," warned the Romanian prime minister.

Montenegro - from "corona free" country to 3 times the number of visits to Covid clinics

We have already reported about how Montenegro made it to the "red" list of risky countries from being considered "corona free" - after a drastic increase in the number of cases in June.

Today, the director of the Podgorica Healthcre Center, Nebojsa Kavaric, announced that the number of people who come to the Covid clinic has tripled, warning at the same time of the large number of Podgorica residents are, despite the dramatic numbers, going to healthcare centers instead.

There are over 700 Covid positive patients in the area of ​​Podgorica.

Illustration: Nikola Jovanovic; Photo: Shutterstock

"We can only guess how many people are infected, considering the number of contacts," said Kavaric.

Kavaric warned that the number of citizens who are turning up at the Covid center has tripled.

"Yesterday, 1,800 of our fellow citizens physically visited the Health Center. I believe it looks incredible. In the same period of the first wave, we had 600 in the first four weeks. Now there are three times as many. People are not aware that the number of those infected is several times higher, that the number of deaths is huge for Montenegro," said Kavaric.

Bosnia entity (again) declares coronavirus epidemic

On Friday, July 17, the Federation of BiH entity again declared a state of the coronavirus epidemic, and that decision came into force the day it was published in the Official Gazette.

The proclamation of a coronavirus epidemic on the entire territory of FBiH implies more operative action of all competent institutions that act in a given situation, and implement measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on the territory of FBiH.

The day before, a decision was made in the territory of the Sarajevo Canton to make masks obligatory during stays in healthcare institutions, in public-city transport in the Sarajevo Canton, in taxis, as well as by passengers in traffic. Masks are mandatory in markets, as well as for all hospitality industry workers who come into contact with guests or prepare and serve food and beverages, employees of universities and academies, as well as students during exams and other activities in these educational institutions.

Photo: Tanjug/AP

New measure in Serb Republic: Masks obligatory even outdoors where distancing is not possible

The Republic Headquarters for Emergency Situations of the second entity in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Serb Republic (RS), concluded yesterday that it will be mandatory to wear masks outdoors as well, where it is not possible to maintain a physical distance of two meters, specified RS Minister of Health Alen Seranic.

Where more people gather outdoors, he said, everyone will have to wear masks, such as at bus stops and in markets.

Croatia considering introducing new measures, a strict one already in force in one county

After the numbers jumped among Croats as well, although there was a noticeable decrease in the number of new patients yesterday compared to the day before, and with some cases related to weddings and celebrations, the crisis headquarters decided yesterday to limit attendance at weddings in the Vukovar-Srijem County to immediate family for the next 14 days.

Yesterday, epidemiologist and member of the Crisis HQ, Krunoslav Capak, said that such a measure, as well as some others, were being considered at the national level. One of them is limiting the number of participants in various gatherings.

Hungarians and Slovenians still "resist"

The increase in the number of people infected with Covid 19 in Hungary is relatively under control - eight new infections in the last 24 hours, a total of 4,347 confirmed cases so far, 596 patients who died and a total of 3,257 people who recovered, the Hungarian government announced today, MTI agency reported.

Last Wednesday, new measures regarding the entry of passengers from abroad came into force in order to prevent "importing" infected people, while foreign countries have been classified into three basic categories: red, yellow and green.

Thus, passengers from Serbia must pass a medical examination at the border. Also, our citizens must stay in a two-week quarantine, even if they are not infected. This can only be avoided with two negative tests in the previous five days.

The Hungarian government has banned all celebrations and other public gatherings with more than 500 people until August 15.

The largest number of Covid 19 cases has been recorded in Budapest, a total of 2,014.

Photo: Tanjug/Nikola Andjic

After more than a month and a half, Slovenia reported the first death of a person infected with this virus.

The number of patients is also under control, so the country recorded seven new patients yesterday.

After a jump in the number of new cases a few days ago, some restrictive measures were introduced again, and Slovenian epidemiologists believe that the new fall in these numbers occurred only thanks to strict use of protective masks indoors, mostly in public transport.

In Bulgaria, almost 9,000 infected, borders closed

In Bulgaria, 196 new cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed, while the total number of those infected has reached 8,929.

Eight patients have died in the past 24 hours, so the total number of deaths since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic is 308.

Due to the growing number of cases of coronavirus among medical staff, Bulgaria is facing a shortage of medical workers, with the situation in Plovdiv being the most worrying. More beds for patients with Covid-19 are needed in that city.

Photo: Tanjug/AP

An emergency epidemic situation is now in force in Bulgaria, which has been extended until the end of July.

The wearing of protective masks is obligatory in closed public spaces, while a new temporary measure prohibiting entry to its territory to all persons, regardless of their citizenship, is also in force.

Albania closes nightclubs and bars

The Albanian government has decided to close all nightclubs and bars as the number of patients continues to grow.

Those who violate this will face a fine of 2,400 to 8,000 euros and a license suspension.

The decision, according to the Ministry of Health, came after overcrowded clubs and bars became new hotspots, as hundreds of young people gathered there over the weekend.

Coronavirus is not letting up in North Macedonia either, which yesterday reported 96 new cases, as well as 10 more deaths.

(A.M.)