Čerkez: Drastic non-compliance with measures

(Patria) - Goran Čerkez, Assistant Minister of Health of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, said at a press conference of the Crisis Staff of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina that in the coming period a new measure will be adopted - the extension of existing measures as a way to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

“Unfortunately – there has been drastic non-compliance with the measures. This is especially important for KS, the administrative center, as many people enter and leave daily. We have adopted new measures, extended the existing ones. With them, we practically managed to resolve the wave in October and November, which was the biggest wave. The situation was difficult at one point. We believe that if these measures are respected – they are adequate measures that can be a framework from the FBiH side for all cantons to implement them,” said Čerkez.

“In the coming period, there have been requests for easing of measures, the reason we did not ease them is this. We have been monitoring what is happening. So, the conclusion is – I call on all citizens to adhere to the measures. All those who do not need to expose themselves to gatherings – I urge them not to do so. I urge them to spend all holidays outdoors with their families, not in groups,” said Čerkez.

The Assistant Minister of Health of FBiH said that BiH is just entering the second wave, while Serbia has announced the fourth wave, and the Czech Republic also. Vaccination against COVID-19 has begun in these countries.

“We have managed to control it, but we can only do it together,” said Čerkez, adding that hospital admissions will significantly increase in the coming period.

As for vaccines, 800,000 doses have been paid for the COVAX system, and there are assurances that all procedures have been completed.

“Albania, Montenegro, and BiH have not received any vaccines. The state must participate in vaccine procurement, as there are legal restrictions on direct vaccine procurement at the entity level. All countries that have negotiated – have negotiated through states and diplomacy,” said Čerkez.

“I have information that there will be an address from the WHO – they should explain to the public what this is about and confirm that FBiH, in cooperation with UNICEF and WHO, has provided everything that was requested of it. We see no reason why AstraZeneca would not be delivered, as it does not require an ultra-cold chain like Pfizer,” said Čerkez at the press conference.

Finally, he concluded that he sees no reason why everything announced regarding vaccines should not be realized, and his estimate is that it should happen at the end of the first or beginning of the second quarter of 2021, reports N1.