June 30, 2020 - In the last 24 hours, the Institute of Public Health (IJZ) has completed the analysis of 439 samples for the new coronavirus, among which the results of 47 patients were positive for COVID-19 infection. The new cases of COVID-19 are from Rožaje (18), Berane (12), Podgorica (8), Bar (3), Niksic (3), Bijelo Polje (2) and Kotor (1), the IZJ announced.
Of the 47 newly-discovered cases, one was imported and 37 were contacts of previously confirmed COVID-19 cases, while in nine patients the source of infection is being traced.
Another death was registered of a male from Petnjica born in 1935, stated the IJZ. The total number of deaths in June is three, and since the beginning of the events, 12.
The total number of registered cases since mid-June is 224, with three deaths, and the number of active COVID-19 cases is 221. Since March 17, when the first cases were registered, COVID-19 infection has been confirmed in a total of 501 patients in Montenegro.
Active COVID-19 cases by municipalities:
Rozaje 76
Podgorica 51
Berane 23
Bijelo Polje 15
Budva 14
Bar 7
Cetinje 6
Pljevlja 6
Ulcinj 4
Niksic 4
Herceg Novi 3
Danilovgrad 3
Kotor 3
Tuzi 2
Tivat 2
Petnjica 1
Gusinje 1
Anti-COVID-19 measures for the next seven days
At today's session, chaired by President Milutin Simovic and attended by Prime Minister Dusko Markovic, the National Coordination Body for Infectious Diseases (NKT) decided to open the borders for entry of residents of EU member states without additional conditions. They agreed on temporary measures for the entire territory of Montenegro, focussing particularly on the municipality of Rožaje - with the goal of preventing and supresssing the further spread of coronavirus, the NKT stated.
Private celebrations (weddings, graduation and birthday celebrations, etc.) are banned throughout Montenegro, the NKT decided.
Nightclubs and discos must remain closed. In Rožaje, the work of all catering facilities and inter-municipal traffic is prohibited, except for emergencies and work purposes, stated the NKT.
The measures will be applied for seven days, after which a decision will be made based on the analysis of the effect of the measures as to whether they will stay in force or will be lifted.
The EU is opening borders for Montenegrin citizens and 13 other countries
The EU Council adopted the recommendations on the gradual opening of EU borders for the citizens of Montenegro and 13 other countries, as of July 1.
Besides our country, only Serbia is on the EU list for lifting travel restrictions from the region.
The recommendations are based on estimates of the epidemiological situation, which will be made every two weeks. In the event of a sudden deterioration of the situation in a country, a "quick decision" procedure can be applied, the EU Council said in a statement.
The recommendations are not legally binding, as the responsibility for border management rests exclusively with the Member States.
The list of countries from which EU entry is allowed is: Algeria, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, Serbia, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, and Uruguay.
The main criterion is that the number of newly infected per 100,000 inhabitants in the last 14 days will be "close to or below the EU average" on June 15, when the average number of newly infected in the EU per 100,000 inhabitants was 16.
The third criterion refers to the overall response of each country to the COVID-19 epidemic, including testing, monitoring, and reporting, as well as the reliability and availability of data in third countries, and information provided by EU delegations from those countries will be taken into account.
China also meets the criteria, but it will be possible to enter the EU from that country if Beijing lifts the ban on the entry of EU citizens.
Citizens of Monaco, Andorra, San Marino, and the Vatican are treated the same as EU citizens. The list and entry criteria refer to trips that are not classed as necessary.
Citizens of the EU Member States and third-country nationals who have legal residence in the EU and members of their families can still enter the EU from third countries. Restrictions do not apply to persons, such as health workers, workers in border areas, and persons working on the transport of goods.
No additional conditions for entry of EU residents
Appreciating today's decision of the European Council on the coordinated opening of the European Union countries' borders towards third countries, the NKT decided that Montenegro would allow the entry of EU residents without additional conditions. Residents of the European Union are permitted to enter Montenegro through non-EU countries, but only if they use those countries only as transit countries, i.e., if they do not stay in those countries, as evidenced by the inspection at the time of entry and exit from those countries.
After opening to the EU, the NKT will subsequently decide on opening borders with other countries
The National Coordination Body for Infectious Diseases will subsequently, after the opening of borders for EU countries, decide on the opening policy towards other countries, the Government announced on Twitter.
"The decision will take into account all relevant epidemiological parameters in each country such as the number of active cases of infection, the trend and prevalence of active cases as well as the overall response of each country to COVID-19 including available information on testing, surveillance, contact monitoring, treatment and reporting, and the reliability of information ", the Government announced.
Mugoša: COVID-19 infection is present and will be present
Dr. Boban Mugoša, director of the Institute of Public Health, pointed out:
"This infection is present, it will be present, and we must take all the measures that we have considered before. It is challenging to close borders again and stifle the economy. That is why the responsibility on ourselves is even greater now! We must be responsible citizens of Montenegro, said the director of the IZJ and member of the National Coordination Body for Infectious Diseases.
Enhanced compliance with special self-isolation commands
It was decided that the competent authorities, primarily the Police Directorate and the Directorate for Inspection Affairs, would tighten controls on compliance with the prescribed measures, and especially self-isolation measures. Self-isolation must be carried out under the strict supervision of the competent authorities responsible for compliance with the rule - it was concluded at the session.
The National Coordination Body for Infectious Diseases reminds citizens and legal entities of the measures in force, primarily the obligation to wear protective masks indoors and to keep their distance.
Donations - no new expenses
The NCT adopted the XII Report on the balance of the account and payments from the account of the Operational Headquarters for Grant Management.
The report states that the balance of the account as of June 30, 2020, at 8:00 AM was EUR 6,276,981.77 and USD 75,971.72.
Since March 19, EUR 8,035,850.90 and USD 75,971.72 have been paid into the NKT account from the country and abroad. Total outflows amount to EUR 1,758,869.13.
Sources: Government of Montenegro, Institute of Public Health
