Valid Orders and Recommendations in FBiH, Cantonal Crisis Staffs Issue More Restrictive Measures

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Given the worsening epidemiological situation in Sarajevo Canton, as well as other cantons, we once again highlight the orders and recommendations of the Crisis Staff of the Federal Ministry of Health that have been in effect since July 25. These orders are binding for the crisis staffs of cantonal ministries of health, healthcare institutions and private practices, as well as legal and natural persons. All valid orders can be viewed HERE

- The order mandates wearing protective masks indoors while maintaining a distance of at least 1 meter, as well as outdoors if physical distance of 2 meters between people cannot be maintained. Due to the aggravated COVID-19 epidemiological situation, a new order states that "gatherings of people in a certain area are allowed under the following conditions: no more than 50 people indoors and no more than 100 people outdoors.".

- All gatherings within the specified limits must take place in an area that allows for the 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, 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 (hygienic-epidemiological measures)," the order states, with a note that "organizers of gatherings are responsible for the implementation of measures at gatherings":

- The organizer is obliged to report the holding of the gathering in accordance with the regulations on public gatherings, as well as to the crisis staffs of the ministries of health.

The crisis staffs of the cantonal ministries of health are instructed to, based on the assessment of the COVID-19 epidemiological situation in the canton, reduce the number of people, from the maximum number of people allowed by the order in outdoor and indoor spaces, at gatherings such as weddings, confirmations, funerals, burials, and similar events, in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection among the population, as well as to protect personal health and public health of the population.

Providing services in catering facilities, both indoors and outdoors, is allowed only for seated guests, with mandatory adherence to the recommendations issued by the Public Health Institute of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (hygienic-epidemiological measures) and in accordance with the order. The crisis staffs/headquarters of cantonal/county ministries of health are instructed to, in cooperation with the competent cantonal ministries, ensure that catering facilities operate in the canton no later than 11:00 PM.

The Federal Administration for Inspection Affairs and cantonal administrations for inspection affairs, as well as inspections organized within the competent ministries in the canton/county, and competent municipal and city inspectors, are instructed to continuously monitor the implementation of the Order regarding strict adherence to the recommendations of the Public Health Institute of the FBiH for all to whom the recommendations apply, and in accordance with their powers, to undertake measures within their competence, which includes initiating criminal charges against perpetrators suspected of not complying with the orders during the COVID-19 pandemic for criminal offenses punishable under the Criminal Code of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The competent police administrations and competent prosecutor's offices are requested to act promptly on the filed criminal charges from point 5 of this Order, in accordance with their powers.

The operation of business entities is allowed with the application of 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 (hygienic-epidemiological measures). All legal and natural persons employing more than 20 employees who have not yet adopted a crisis preparedness and response plan for the occurrence of COVID-19 are instructed to urgently adopt the aforementioned plan, which will align the organization of work of these entities with the given recommendations and guidelines of the Public Health Institute of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and cantonal public health institutes.

Cantonal/county crisis staffs/headquarters of the ministries of health are allowed to introduce more restrictive and different measures based on the assessment of the epidemiological situation in the canton/county, or municipality, with regular notification to the Crisis Staff/Headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Health.

Recommendations of the Crisis Staff

The population in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina is recommended to avoid public gatherings and limit their movements due to the worsening COVID-19 epidemiological situation. In case of symptoms of a respiratory infection (fever, cough, loss of smell or taste), individuals with symptoms, as well as their household members, are recommended to stay home and contact their doctor by phone for further instructions.

Elderly individuals, especially those with chronic illnesses, are recommended to avoid unnecessary travel and the use of public transport, and to use protective equipment regularly. Also, elderly individuals are recommended to minimize visits to family doctors and hospitals unless absolutely necessary. It is recommended to first contact the family doctor by phone if a person of this age needs a prescription or medical advice," the Recommendations of the Crisis Staff/Headquarters of the FMZ state, among other things.

The recommendations, signed by the Federal Minister of Health Vjekoslav Mandić, state that Cantonal Crisis Staffs can also adopt these recommendations in the form of an order, depending on the epidemiological situation.