May 14, 2020 - The date when Montenegro will open its borders is not yet known. Branislav Karadzic, a member of the Operational Staff returning Montenegrin citizens from abroad, believes it will be soon.
"We are working intensively on organizing the return of our citizens who work in other countries. A flight Podgorica-Frankfurt is planned for Friday. We expect an agreement with Serbia on the return of our students to that country next week at the latest. We expect that in the next ten days, the problem of the return of our citizens who have been trapped on the cruiser of the American company "Royal Caribbean" for three months will be solved, " Karadzic told this morning in the TV Vijesti show Boje Jutra.
He added that the main goal is to preserve the health of citizens.
"We expect that our country will soon be a corona-free state. It is difficult to bid when Montenegro opens its borders, but I believe it will be very soon. Based on the recommendations of the Institute of Public Health, the National Coordination Body for Infectious Diseases will decide on that. When the borders open, the emphasis will be on road traffic. Montenegro may ask passengers to present evidence of a negative coronavirus test result to enter the country, but other authorities decide this. I am sure that we will find the best solution, "Karadzic pointed out.
According to him, the coordinating body is working intensively on the return of Montenegrin citizens to foreign countries where they operate.
As for Montenegrin students who want to return to Serbia due to the June exam period, the Montenegrin embassy in Belgrade and the Consulate General in Sremski Karlovci have contacted the authorities in that country.
"Nothing has been agreed yet. About 180 students, who want to return to Serbia on the occasion of the June exams, contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We will try to make their status as easy as possible. We expect an agreement next week at the latest, "Karadzic said.
"We returned 206 seafarers with the help of Montenegro Airlines. Many of them returned in individual arrangements in different ways," said a member of the Operational Staff for the return of Montenegrin citizens from abroad, emphasizing that about 580 seafarers remained at sea.
May 13, 2020 - No new cases of Covid-19 have been registered in the past eight days. The total number of recoveries has now risen to 298. The total number of registered cases stands at 324. There are currently 17 active cases in the country. Active cases by city are as follows: Ulcinj (10), Gusinje (3), Podgorica (2), Bar (1), Bijelo Polje (1).
Dr Ranko Lazovic, the head of the Medical Crisis Headquarters says the nation’s exit strategy must be just as carefully planned as its handling of the epidemic. He reports that hospitals across the country are moving towards pre-epidemic conditions and Covid-19 bed space is being reduced, while maintaining reserve capacity as a precaution. Lazovic also reports that the average age of Covid-19 patients is 42, while the average age of the country’s nine deaths was 70. He urges citizens to wear masks and observe social distancing, and notes that a large number of citizens have been seen violating these measures.
Dr. Senad Begic of the Institute of Public Health adds that a large number of countries that abruptly lifted restrictions are now seeing a rise in Covid-19 infections, which is why Montenegro is insisting on gradually easing measures.
Restaurants and cafes are free to reopen Friday, announced the government. Employees at these facilities must wear masks and no more than four people are allowed to a table, except in the case of family members. Tables must be separated by a distance of two metres or a screen and hand disinfection is mandatory at entry and exit points. Self-service as well as standing or lingering at the bar is forbidden. Business owners are required to post notices of the measures in place. The NKT is also considering allowing shopping centres to open, Vijesti has learned.
The decision on opening Montenegro’s borders rests with the National Coordinating Body (NKT), the Police Administration has announced. According to unofficial information from Serbian media, Serbia will open its borders with Montenegro, Northern Macedonia, Albania and Bosnia-Herzegovina on 1 June. Dr Senad Begic of the Institute of Public Health welcomed the news but said it remained to be seen whether Montenegro would relax its restrictions and under what conditions. Caution is required, he said.
Archbishop Joanikije and several other priests were questioned by police last night after they led the Saint Vasilije Ostroski Day liturgy in front of a church in Niksic, which resulted in a large number of residents gathering there, in violation of coronavirus containment measures. A group of citizens gathered in front of the Church’s seat to protest the questioning. Joanikije advised them to disperse and said he would abide by all requests from law enforcers. The government stated last night that the liturgy organisers had jeopardised the health of a large number of citizens.
The director of Kotor’s Agency for City Port Management says all sailing arrangements have been cancelled or postponed. The Easter holidays have always marked the beginning of the nautical season, but this year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, few sails will be seen in Boka, and sailboats and yachts will be docked at City Port. Director Bozo Ukropina fears the season might not occur at all, in which case City Port will be in great difficulties, he says.
According to the latest forecasts of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the Montenegrin economy will weaken by 8% this year due to the predicted impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the tourist season. In the macro-economic forecast published yesterday, the EBRD predicted that the Montenegrin economy would recover strongly next year, with a 10.5% growth of GDP. The recovery will depend on the gradual easing of national measures to curb the spread of the virus and return to normal functioning during the second half of the year, EBRD says.
This brief is kindly prepared for you by Arhimed & Represent Communications.
May 10, 2020 - "Let's buy healthy! Let's buy Domestic Food! Let's help ourselves and others and use the size of our country to have a personal and honest relationship with each food producer! "- calls the FB group Kupujmo domaće! - podržimo male proizvodjače hrane u Crnoj Gori- "Let's buy domestic food - let's support small producers in Montenegro."
FB Group Kupujmo domaće! - podržimo male proizvodjače hrane u Crnoj Gori