Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina declares state of disaster due to coronavirus!

(Patria) - The Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina has declared a state of disaster due to the outbreak of coronavirus in the Federation of BiH entity. This conclusion was adopted today at an expanded session.
Given that there is no option to declare a state of emergency in the legal sense in BiH, the equivalent of that decision is a state of disaster. And what does that mean in practice?

This provides a legal basis for action on all key issues through shortened procedures. This includes procurement of equipment, engagement of personnel, and everything else.

The Federal Government adopted the Information on the outbreak of the new coronavirus in the FBiH and the measures and activities undertaken by the competent authorities in the FBiH, as well as the healthcare sector in the FBiH. All competent authorities in the FBiH, the Crisis Headquarters in the FBiH, competent health ministries, public health institutes in the FBiH, Federal and cantonal inspectorate administrations, and healthcare institutions have been tasked with maximally intensifying the implementation of all restrictive and available measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the territory of the FBiH.

Furthermore, the FBiH Government has tasked cantonal governments to involve all competent cantonal ministries, within their jurisdiction for the implementation of individual orders in the canton, in the execution of the orders of the Crisis Headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Health, especially cantonal police directorates, in cases where it is determined that persons under prescribed protective measures are not complying and there is a reasonable suspicion that a criminal offense punishable by the Criminal Code of the FBiH has been committed.

The Federal Civil Protection Administration is tasked with ensuring the operational readiness of resources intended for the procurement of equipment, quarantine, and other items as soon as possible. The Government of the Federation of BiH will address the Council of Ministers of BiH and request an urgent amendment to Article 10 of the Law on Public Procurement of BiH to ensure an exemption from the application of this law for the procurement of equipment and other items for the needs of combating the spread of coronavirus.

The Federal Government will request the Council of Ministers of BiH to implement measures related to the application of Procedures for monitoring passengers in international traffic in response to the outbreak of coronavirus, which have so far been applied to all passengers coming from China, Italy, South Korea, Iran, France, Germany, and Spain, and will now apply to all passengers regardless of their country of origin. In this regard, it is necessary to instruct the competent authorities to impose a 14-day self-isolation period on all passengers entering BiH, regardless of whether they are BiH citizens or foreign nationals.

The Federal Ministry of Health, in cooperation with the Public Health Institute of the FBiH and the Federal Inspectorate Administration, will maintain continuous cooperation with the competent authorities of the BiH entity RS and Brčko District BiH through the Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH to ensure equal treatment regarding the current situation throughout BiH.

The FBiH Government has tasked the Federal Ministry of Health to continuously cooperate with the World Health Organization and other international organizations whose assistance would contribute to more effective combating of coronavirus in the FBiH. The executive authorities in the FBiH will secure funds in the FBiH Budget for the employment of three new civil servants in the Federal Ministry of Health, in order to adequately respond to the outbreak of coronavirus in the FBiH.

Recommendations have also been issued to employers and employees to prevent diseases caused by coronavirus. Employers are recommended to implement special protective measures to prevent adverse health consequences for employees by shortening working hours if the work process allows. Employers employing a larger number of workers are recommended to reorganize working hours, if the work process allows, and to distribute work performed in one shift into two shifts, in order to avoid the concentration of a larger number of workers in one place.

It is also recommended that employees be given instructions for working from home, that employees be allowed to use annual leave, as well as to take leave in accordance with the law, collective agreement, and work rules, that parents of children under 10 years of age be allowed to take leave from work for one parent if both parents are employed, and that all business trips, both domestic and international, be canceled. In cases where business trips cannot be canceled, employers are recommended to direct employees to follow the instructions issued by the competent health institutions.

Employers are obliged to ensure regular and enhanced implementation of hygiene measures in work and auxiliary premises in accordance with regulations, which include, among other things, cleaning and disinfection of premises, as well as regular ventilation and airing. It is recommended to cancel meetings involving a larger number of participants, or if necessary, to organize them in larger rooms with sufficient distance between participants (one to two meters).

The FBiH Government has tasked the Federal Civil Protection Administration to make available stocks of equipment and material-technical resources and, if necessary, to put on standby members of the Federal Specialized Civil Protection Units and the Federation of BiH Protection and Rescue Service.

Information on the state of goods in the Federal Commodity Reserves Directorate has been noted, and in case of market disruptions, the FBiH Government will make the necessary decisions to correct the market situation.