April 20, 2020 - The Institute for Public Health recorded four new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of infected persons to 312. So far, 88 persons have recovered, and five passed away. As of tomorrow, the COVID-19 measures will be relaxed gradually.
“The new case is the contact of previously known case form Podgorica,” Institute reports. Currently, there are 219 still infected, and 35 persons are under hospital treatment. Around 2.445 citizens are under medical surveillance.
Seventeen patients are under hospital treatment in the Clinical Centre and are all stable. Three patients in the Internal Clinic require intensive care- two are on a ventilator, and one of them is in critical condition.
Number of COVID-19 cases by municipalities:
Podgorica: 161
Tuzi: 37
Nikšić: 33
Bar: 23
Ulcinj: 22
Andrijevica: 7
Bijelo Polje: 6
Herceg Novi: 6
Plav: 6
Budva: 5
Danilovgrad: 3
Tivat: 3
Counter-COVID-19 measures to be eased starting tomorrow
Montenegro’s Prime Minister Duško Marković asked ministers and heads of institutions to prepare a precise and sustainable plan for reducing restrictions for the following 45 days, starting from tomorrow.
As PM said, we have achieved excellent results in countering the COVID-19 epidemic.
“While remaining committed to our primary task – protection of health – Montenegro must continue with its economic and social life. Every next phase will hinge on our preparedness to maintain the results we have achieved”, PM added.
He said that the Government and NCB would do their best to gradually set conditions for unlocking civil, entrepreneurial, and creative potential.
Health remains the top priority
Director of the Clinical Center of Montenegro, Dr. Jevto Eraković, said at today’s press conference that schools and kindergartens wouldn’t be open yet.
“Considering the present situation, we are not going to lift measures that could pose a great risk. Therefore, opening schools and kindergartens won’t be our priority,” Dr. Eraković said.
“We are proud of the results we have achieved so far. We have proven that our healthcare system is well built. Montenegro has been successful in countering this epidemic. We must not surrender. I call on citizens to keep being responsible,” Dr. Eraković pointed out.
“Citizens should know that if they don’t adhere to adopted measures, we will be forced to bring them back in force again,” Dr. Eraković said.
Assistant Director of the Institute for Public Health, Dr. Senad Begić, says that the COVID-19 epidemic situation is under control. He said that no element of the profession would be excluded in the process of lifting measures. Health remains the top priority.
“The focus is on the health profession, but economic experts also do their part of work,” Dr. Begić pointed out.
The government sends to Assembly document Response to COVID-19 pandemic
The government has forwarded to the Assembly this afternoon the document "Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic" - material for the preparation of MPs for discussion under the first item on the agenda of the Second Session of the First Regular Session in 2020, to be held on Wednesday, April 22.
"The document details the work of the National Infectious Diseases Coordination Body through the work of all operational staffs, the Institute for Public Health, the Crisis Medical Staff, the Ministry of Health, the Police Directorate and the Public Relations Service of the Government of Montenegro," the Government said in a statement.
Since March 17, when the first case of COVID-19 infection was recorded in our country, 9,562 Montenegrin nationals arrived back home, according to the document "Response to the COVID-19 pandemic". Sixteen thousand thirty-six foreign nationals traveled from Montenegro. A total of 65 aircraft arrivals with 1,780 passengers were realized through the Airports of Montenegro, and 2,865 passengers departed from 66 flights. Montenegro Airlines organized 21 trips: Budapest, Rome, Madrid, Zurich, Berlin, Brussels, Ljubljana, Paris, Stockholm, and Luxembourg, twice to London and three times to Belgrade, Frankfurt and Vienna. Almost every flight had foreign nationals who used Montenegro Airlines' free ticket to return to their countries, the document said. Citizens of Italy, Germany, Russia, Switzerland, Austria, Serbia, Belgium, Slovenia, the USA, the United Kingdom, France, Sweden, Luxembourg, and other countries have availed themselves of the possibility of a free flight from Montenegro.
From the begging of the introduction counter-measures, police officers have filed a total of 741 criminal charges against 994 persons on reasonable suspicion that they had committed 896 crimes against human health and other offenses related to COVID-19 infectious disease.
Additional borrowing should amount 550-600 million
The additional loan has never been more legitimate, said Dean of the Faculty of Economics, Nikola Milović, adding that it should amount to €550-600 million. The country responded to the crisis duly and responsibly. Milović points out that the success key of the whole system is trust built in relations between institutions and individuals.
The package of economic measures adopted by the Government, as well as the proposed package, which is to be adopted during the following week, is an adequate response to the new situation, Milović emphasized.
Source: Vijesti Online,
