No mandatory PCR test for all entering BiH, Covax vaccines in the coming months

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - After a meeting of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Zoran Tegeltija, Federal Prime Minister Fadil Novalić and RS Prime Minister Radovan Višković, which was attended by entity health ministers and a representative of the Brčko District, Minister of Civil Affairs of BiH Ankica Gudeljević, and Minister of Security Selmo Cikotić, a press conference was held.

The topics were the direct procurement of vaccines and requests for the introduction of mandatory PCR testing upon entry into BiH.

As stated after the meeting, there will be no decision on introducing mandatory PCR testing as requested from the Federation of BiH.

Minister Gudeljević emphasized that by the end of the second quarter, BiH should receive 120,000 Pfizer and 380,000 AstraZeneca vaccines through the EU mechanism with Austria and Poland.

She announced that on April 23 or 24, 81,600 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine will arrive, and 100,000 Pfizer doses by the end of June.

They also discussed the possibility of introducing PCR tests for all those entering BiH.

"After we allowed experts to present their views on this issue, we came to the conclusion that there is currently no need for PCR tests and restricting entry into BiH," added Gudeljević.

"If existing measures are not being respected, what is the point of introducing additional ones? It is very difficult to monitor compliance with measures, and I call on all residents of BiH and those planning to come to BiH to respect the measures set by our services. Every measure has its reason and aims to stop the spread of the virus. It is very important to bring the virus under control, and we can all do that if we stick to the measures together," Minister Gudeljević stated in her address.