Dr. Kon: Party-goers will be tested, and we'll get them to do community service as a punishment

After the session of the Crisis HQ, epidemiologist Predrag Kon also addressed the public. He previosly said on Monday that there was no alternative to stricter measures.

"Starting tomorrow, the regime will effectively be the same as during weekends. After a week, a decision will be made again," said Kon.

The epidemiologist stressed that this was a compromise solution.

"The medical part (of the HQ) believes that this is not enough because we will not see the effects of the measures after five days. This decision does not satisfy either side, but it seems to me that it is constructive at the moment. I don't think it's yet understood that this is the biggest pandemic, not only of this century, but more than that, and that it is unfortunately also deadly. In order for the healthcare system to survive, enormous help is necessary, and it is partially shown by this decision today," said the epidemiologist.

According to Kon, the dominance of the British strain is starting, which is "descending" towards younger people.

"In addition, it should be said that penalties for violators will be increased in some way. There is the idea that all those who attend illegal parties must be tested and that the ones who are found to be positive should be punished. This is one of the measures, which will be developed in terms of the manner of implementation, because it cannot be a personal decision to gather people and create conditions for the virus to transfer. Community service has been mentioned," said Kon.

Those who are complaining can find a lot of work in Covid hospitals, Kon said.

"The kind of work that does not require medical knowledge. That is a serious proposal to approach. Carrying oxygen bottles requires physical fitness, since the younger part of the population is in question. That is one of the possible thoughts," Kon pointed out.

New, tougher measures have been adopted to curb the spread of coronavirus, which will take effect tonight.

"From tomorrow until Monday, the opening hours will be the same as during the (past two) weekends. As of tonight, everything is closing, and we will see what to do from Monday on. We will not introduce a curfew, there will be no travel bans. Groceries, pharmacies, gas stations, everything that is necessary for normal life will remain open," said Prime Minister Ana Brnabic.

Lower grades in primary schools are also moving to online classes. That will be organized starting on Monday.

"We can't close kindergartens. They will keep working. As much as the measures can be respected. If there are teachers who have not yet been vaccinated, please contact us. Lower grades in primary school will most likely switch to online classes as well, because that is a firm recommendation of the Crisis HQ," said Brnabic.

High schools and upper grades of primary schools have already switched to the online classes.

(Telegraf.rs)