KS Crisis Staff Calls on Inspectorate to Penalize Irresponsible Citizens

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The Crisis Staff of the Ministry of Health of Sarajevo Canton reminds that on July 17 this year, an epidemic caused by the novel coronavirus was declared in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The declaration of an epidemic implies compliance with all orders of crisis staffs and legal provisions defined in the Law on Protection of the Population from Infectious Diseases of FBiH.

The Order of the Crisis Staff of the Federal Ministry of Health of June 26 this year stipulates the mandatory use of face masks. Acting contrary to the measures in this order constitutes a violation of the provisions of the Law on Protection of the Population from Infectious Diseases of FBiH and entails all legally prescribed sanctions against violators (Official Gazette of FBiH no. 29/05).

The Crisis Staff of the Ministry of Health of KS considers it necessary to begin with the consistent application of the provisions of the aforementioned Law, and the penalization of violators of the Order on mandatory use of protective masks in prescribed places.

Guidelines from the World Health Organization recommend that people with symptoms indicating COVID-19 wear a medical mask, self-isolate, and seek medical advice as soon as they start feeling unwell due to potential symptoms, even if those symptoms are mild. Symptoms include: fever, cough, fatigue, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, and muscle pain. Other non-specific symptoms are also listed, such as: sore throat, nasal congestion, headache, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Loss of smell and taste have also been reported before the onset of respiratory symptoms.

Article 3 of the Law on Protection of the Population from Infectious Diseases of FBiH stipulates that protection from infectious diseases is the duty of local self-government units - municipalities, cantons, and the Federation of BiH, as well as healthcare institutions, health insurance funds, private practice holders, business companies, and other legal and natural persons.

Articles 65 to 70 of the Law on Protection of the Population from Infectious Diseases of FBiH prescribe penalty provisions, and penalization is carried out by inspection bodies, which is why we call on them to consistently apply the legally defined penalty provisions towards violators.

We also call on the media, as well as individuals, to obtain information only from relevant, official, and verified sources, and to refrain from spreading unverified information, panic, and fake news. We especially call on individuals, laypeople without formal medical education, to refrain from publicly expressing opinions and advising on how to take medications, which are otherwise dispensed under controlled prescription and used under the supervision of a doctor or pharmacist. People who are laypeople often perceive health and illness in a completely different way than health professionals, especially doctors. Health professionals most often have a biomedical understanding of disease and health, which is contrary, and sometimes in conflict with, general lay explanations.

The Crisis Staff of the Ministry of Health of Sarajevo Canton calls on citizens to avoid gatherings in closed spaces, large crowds without distance and without the use of protective masks outdoors, as well as to exercise particular caution during holidays and travel.