Montenegro from a country with the largest number of infections in the region

Thereafter, the first case was recorded on June 14, and by July 16th, the total number of cases reached 1,582. The number of active cases with COVID-19 has increased rapidly, following the analysis of 2,000 samples coming from Germany, out of which came 475 positive.

Montenegro sent 2,000 samples for testing in Germany, due to lack of necessary capacities for them to be carried out in the state.

How did Montenegro, from the country “pa Coronavirus” to the country with the largest number infected for 100,000 people in the Western Balkans?

Assistant director of the Public Health Institute, Senad Begiq, in a conversation about Radio Free Europe, says I believe that the main reason is that everyone, as a society, was released and not protected from the virus.

“The import of the virus can no longer be avoided and this was clear to all. As long as there is this disease translated and as long as it is anywhere in the world, there are no protected or secure sites or territories”, Begic said.

As he says, the problem lies in the virus itself - its characteristics, and most of all in the fact that a large number of infected persons, those who are willing and able to transmit infection, have no symptoms.

At the time we identified the first cases, the situation on the ground was such that, thanks to that asimtomyism, they spread the disease to a relatively large number of contacts and all we're seeing now is the result of the behavior and events that took place weeks ago”, he says.

Due to the rise in the number of infected, the European Union removed Montenegro from the list of safe countries on which travel is allowed, due to the poor epidemiological situation. As announced by Brussels, this is a recommendation that is not binding for EU members.

When it comes to the region, the 14-day isolation has been envisioned for Montenegrin citizens when they enter Serbia, whereas for Kosovo and North Macedonia, negative test is needed for COVID-19. Montenegrin citizens can enter Bosnia and Herzegovina without restrictions. Montenegrin citizens to enter Croatia must show the negative test, or they will have to pass mandatory property or 14-day quarantine.

The first cycle of COVID-19 disease in Montenegro was accompanied by strict measures. All educational institutions, restaurants, gyms and shopping malls were closed. Citizens were restricted from leaving their homes, and it was forbidden to meet more than two people on the street or to travel in a car.

Interurban traffic transport was also banned. The most drastic example was the Tuzi municipality quarantine near Podgorica, after 15 cases of infection were discovered in one day.

The second cycle of the disease, although with a much greater number of cases, was not accompanied by strict measures. These measures include keeping a physical distance, a mask in closed places inside (in Podgorica from July 17th) the wear of the mask is mandatory even in open places) and calls from the National Co-ordination Organisation for greater hygiene by citizens. This body says jobs have been opened “because even through the economy it protects public health”.

Due to the deterioration of the epidemiological situation, holding parliamentary and municipal elections in four Montenegrin municipalities, scheduled for August 30th, has been questioned.