New measures are in effect from today, where you can be without a mask

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The Crisis Staff of the Federal Ministry of Health has adopted a series of orders and recommendations that have been forwarded to the crisis staffs of the cantonal ministries of health for further action starting May 31st.

Thus, as of today, public gatherings of people in a designated area are allowed, under the following conditions: for no more than 100 people indoors, and for no more than 300 people outdoors.

All gatherings within the specified limits must take place in a space that allows for mandatory physical distance of at least 2 meters between individuals (except for members of the same household).

In order to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection, as well as to protect personal health, during gatherings, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the recommendations issued by the Public Health Institute of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (hygiene and epidemiological measures).

Business entities are allowed to operate, while monitoring general and specific recommendations for the safety of staff and clients in the context of COVID-19 disease, with mandatory adherence to the recommendations issued by the Public Health Institute of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (hygiene and epidemiological measures).

In healthcare institutions, regardless of ownership, as well as private practices, strict measures for infection prevention and control must be followed, and general and specific recommendations for the safety of staff and patients in the context of COVID-19 disease must be monitored.

Providing services in catering establishments, both indoors and outdoors, is allowed, with seating only, and mandatory adherence to the recommendations issued by the Public Health Institute of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (hygiene and epidemiological measures).

In catering establishments, only outdoors (gardens and terraces), the use and consumption of hookahs (shisha) is allowed, with mandatory replacement of the disposable mouthpiece and disposable hose.

Night clubs and discotheques are prohibited from operating.

Sports competitions are allowed to be held, but without the presence of an audience, with mandatory adherence to the recommendations issued by the Public Health Institute of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (hygiene and epidemiological measures). Training processes for athletes of all sports clubs are allowed, with mandatory adherence to the recommendations issued by the Public Health Institute of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (hygiene and epidemiological measures).

Visits and outings for residents in social welfare institutions and correctional facilities are allowed. Visits to social welfare institutions for the care and accommodation of the elderly take place outdoors, with a maximum of two visitors, with mandatory physical distance and wearing masks. The admission of new residents to social welfare institutions is allowed, provided that a 14-day isolation period has been completed and testing for COVID-19 after the 14-day isolation period, which must result in a negative test. The above also applies to the transfer of residents from one institution to another, or in the case of transferring residents from a healthcare institution to a social welfare institution. Social welfare institutions are obliged to provide space for self-isolation.

Wearing protective masks is mandatory in indoor public spaces, as well as in outdoor public spaces, if physical distance of 2 meters between individuals cannot be maintained outdoors.

City, suburban, and intercity transport is allowed to operate with mandatory adherence to the recommendations issued by the Public Health Institute of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (hygiene and epidemiological measures).

Primary and secondary schools and faculties are prohibited from operating, with the exception of practical exercises and work at faculties, defense of bachelor's and master's theses, and doctoral dissertations, as well as practical work in secondary vocational schools, holding traineeships and specialist or sub-specialist internships for healthcare professionals in healthcare institutions, and other institutions where internships are conducted, and taking professional, specialist, and sub-specialist exams for healthcare professionals, with mandatory adherence to the recommendations issued by the Public Health Institute of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (hygiene and epidemiological measures).

Microbiological and laboratory diagnostics - real-time PCR for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 are performed by laboratories of healthcare institutions verified by the Federal Ministry of Health, as well as the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Sarajevo - Laboratory for Molecular Genetic and Forensic Examinations, which is accredited for molecular diagnostic testing in accordance with BAS EN ISO 17025-2006 standard, as support to the public health sector.

We recommend that all citizens of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina do not travel to countries affected by the new coronavirus (COVID-19), or to countries with a high incidence of COVID-19, due to the increased risk of introducing the new coronavirus (COVID-19) into the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which could further worsen the COVID-19 epidemiological situation in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is recommended that all citizens of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as foreign citizens arriving in Bosnia and Herzegovina from countries with present COVID-19 infection, especially from countries with a high incidence of COVID-19, strictly adhere to the recommendations issued by the Public Health Institute of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (hygiene and epidemiological measures).

Cantonal/municipal crisis staffs of health ministries are allowed to introduce more restrictive measures based on the assessment of the epidemiological situation in the canton or municipality, with the prior consent of the Crisis Staff of the Federal Ministry of Health.

The implementation of the orders is controlled by organizers of public gatherings, management of business entities and institutions, as well as authorized inspectors in the Federal and cantonal administrations for inspection affairs, as well as competent or authorized municipal and city inspectors, each within their jurisdiction.

The order is issued with a validity period of 14 days from the date of its application.

After the expiry of the period referred to in point 19, the Crisis Staff of the Federal Ministry of Health is tasked with assessing the complete epidemiological situation of COVID-19 in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and preparing a risk assessment, in order to consider the possibility and necessity of amending the measures established by this Order, and then decide by a new order on the measures to be taken and within what timeframe.