KFOR assists Kosovo institutions in management of pandemic with Coronavirus

KFOR through a communique has shown that it is continuing its peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, and has stepped up security measures according to the WTO guidelines.

KFOR is continuing its mission to support local institutions in preventing this pandemic from spreading.

Full announcement:

“In response to the global pandemic of the Corona virus, the NATO-led Kosovo Force is regularly continuing its UN-appointed mission to ensure a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all communities in Kosovo, while taking all necessary measures to protect its soldiers, partners and Kosovo population.

In recent weeks, KFOR units have conducted patrols, liaisons and monitoring activities and have supported local institutions and communities, through donations of personal safety equipment and the delivery of food and clothing to needy families, in co-ordination with the Red Cross in Kosovo. In the first answer, KFOR is offering protection to the Visoki-Decan Monastery, a major Orthodox religious and cultural site.

Radio K4 daily broadcasts information in Albanian and Serbian on how to respond to pandemic and prevent the spread of the virus.

KFOR remains vigilant and continues to monitor and assess the situation in close co-ordination with institutions in Kosovo and the Ministry of Health in particular, as well as with the Security Organisations and the International Community.

“KFOR's ability to conduct operations to contribute to the security and security of all communities in Kosovo has not been undermined. We remain absolutely committed to maintaining our reliable resistance and protection while helping limit the spread of the virus. Our forces remain ready and our core work continues, under the mandate given by UN Security Council Resolution 1244, 1999 “, said Major General Michel Riesi, commander of KFOR.

In terms of prevention, since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, KFOR has implemented careful measures based on recommendations by the World Health Organisation, aimed at easing risks for its personnel and for all Kosovo communities.

Such measures apply to all KFOR bases and facilities and include strict hygiene measures, examinations and controls of all military personnel deployed in theatre, temporary restrictions on non-designable activities. Kosovo's local contractors showing signs or have a history of exposure are not allowed at the base.

As in the rest of society, some of our staff have tested positively, and unfortunately two civil servants lost their lives. Soldierdo KFOR soldier showing signs of COVID-19 infection or having contact with someone infected, placed in the preliminary quarantine. If KFOR soldiers are infected, they are treated by medical facilities at KFOR bases and entered quarantine to reduce additional exposure before being evacuated”.