April 23, 2020 - The laboratories of the Institute of Public Health analyzed a total of 450 samples, among which one new case of COVID-19 was detected. The newly infected patient with residence in Plav is placed in institutional quarantine in Ulcinj.
Among today's analyses was the second consecutive negative finding for another seven patients who are considered to be recovering - in Bijelo Polje (4), Bar (2), and Podgorica (1). The total number of recovered patients was 123, and five patients died of COVID-19 infection.
Number of COVID-19 cases by municipalities:
Podgorica: 161
Sad: 37
Niksic: 34
Bar: 23
Ulcinj: 22
Budva: 7
Blue: 7
Andrijevica: 7
Bijelo Polje: 6
Herceg Novi: 6
Danilovgrad: 3
Tivat: 3
Marinas and ports opening for traffic tomorrow, but children still not allowed in the playgrounds
The National Infectious Diseases Coordination Body (NKT) has approved changes to the Ministry of Health's orders to allow for the opening of marinas in compliance with self-isolation measures, as well as the embarkation or disembarkation of seafarers in Montenegrin ports.
"Self-isolation of a foreign vessel with a crew implies a berth in the port for 28 days, with the undertaking of measures of health and sanitary supervision by the competent health institution, following the recommendations of the Institute of Public Health of Montenegro," it was announced after the NKT session.
"The traffic of goods for the needs of Montenegro as well as for transit remains unhindered, with special measures of health and sanitary control, and the transit of foreign seafarers is carried out with the taking of special measures of health and sanitary supervision, following the recommendations of the Institute of Public Health of Montenegro."
Analyzing the effects of mitigation of individual measures, the NKT assessed that a certain level of relaxation of citizens after a strict restriction was expected. They warned that the COVID-19 danger had not passed and that strict adherence to all valid temporary measures, and above all measures of physical distance, was necessary.
"It is estimated that the particular danger, after a relaxation of some rules, is the fact that more contacts of younger and middle-aged citizens with the elderly have been observed, which poses a significant danger primarily to the elderly population. "
They add that extremely high epidemiological risk is posed by perceived contact between children and their grouping for play or other reasons.
In the event of massive non-compliance with preventive measures, especially measures on physical distance, the NKT will consider tightening measures to protect the health and livelihood of citizens.
Opening of catering facilities planned for the second half of May
Prime Minister Dusko Markovic told representatives of the tourism industry and hoteliers that as soon as May 4, the preconditions for the operation of small and medium-sized enterprises would be created. Catering and service activities would be planned for the second half of May, respecting epidemiological rules and procedures.
There is no movement liberalization through Boka yet
At today's press briefing, Dr. Senid Begic said that there would be no liberalization of movement through Boka Kotorska yet.
The Tivat "Narod Pobjeđuje" Group of citizens yesterday requested the National Coordination Body for Infectious Diseases to facilitate intercity traffic on the territory of Boka Kotorska as a matter of urgency. As part of the mitigation of measures on April 21, Podgorica-Tuzi-Danilovgrad interurban traffic was released, so it is not clear to citizens why such a decision was not made for Boka, where the number of infected COVID-19 is much smaller.
Asked by Boka News about the possibility of liberalization of movement and traffic through Boka Kotorska, given that there are about 80,000 inhabitants in the area and there are only nine diseased persons, Assistant Director of the Institute of Public Health Dr. Senad Begic said:
“This is a relatively large number of cases in the Boka Kotorska areas. The key is also in the geography of the terrain. Therefore, the municipalities of Tuzi and Podgorica represent a geographical entity. Hence, employee communication is much more frequent than between Tivat and Herceg Novi or any other place in Boka”- said Begić.
“It is clear to everyone that we have made an unreal result - the lowest incidence rate and the lowest death rate in the region. It is a result of all of us who have adhered to the measures and helped to straighten the disease curve. These results are on the glass legs, as this is a situation of great caution. It is clear to me that we are eager for moving, socializing, going out, but it is still not the time for this kind of interaction, ”Begic pointed out.
Embarkation of Montenegrin seafarers is possible
The Ministry of Transport and Maritime Affairs, Directorate for Maritime Transport and Inland Navigation, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Embassies of Montenegro in Croatia, Germany, and the Netherlands, provided organized transport of Montenegrin seafarers from the Karasovici border crossing via Neum, Ploče on April 22 (Highway A1 ) to the Franjo Tudjman Airport in Zagreb.
Also, an international air transfer at the Frankfurt airport was provided for connecting flights to the final destination of the boarding ports.
The approval of the use of transport corridors for boarding Montenegrin seafarers was preceded by intensive communication by the Ministry of Transport and Maritime Affairs with the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro and the Transport Community, consisting of EU countries and six Western Balkan countries.
“Given the still existing border crossing and movement restrictions in the EU countries caused by the COVID 19 pandemic, any future boarding should be addressed to the Ministry of Transport and Maritime Affairs. The Directorate for Maritime Transport and Inland Navigation, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, works to ensure the smooth passage of Montenegrin seafarers to the embarkation port, ”the Ministry of Transport and Maritime Affairs said.
Source: Vijesti Online, Radio Tivat
