KS Government: Increase testing, inspectorate to close facilities violating measures, no vaccines

SARAJEVO, (Patria) – At today's press conference of the KS Government, KS Prime Minister Edin Forto presented the conclusions adopted today.

The session was attended by members of the KS Crisis Staff, the Police Commissioner of the MUP KS Police Administration, and the Director of the KUIP.

Prime Minister Edin Forto stated that data from medical institutions indicate an increase in the number of infections.

One of the adopted conclusions is that the Ministry of Health will issue binding instructions to healthcare institutions on mobilizing staff for COVID teams, thereby expanding capacity.

“Order the KS Health Insurance Fund and healthcare institutions to engage all resources to increase testing and allow private institutions to assist in testing. The Public Health Institute to intensify monitoring and provide analyses of the sources of infection and make them available to the public. The KUIP to engage all its available staff in accordance with the law to implement and supervise measures in the field. The KS Government will initiate urgent procedures for the Law on Inspectorates to enable the temporary closure of facilities that violate measures. One of the measures is that the KUIP, when conducting supervision, in all cases where a larger number of people than allowed is found, will issue a 10-day isolation order due to the suspicion of illness. One of the conclusions is that the Police Administration can control compliance with measures,” said Forto.

He confirmed that they are not yet introducing additional stricter measures.

“I am concerned, and people are becoming complacent. I am aware that we are all tired of restrictive measures. We do not see the end of the pandemic at this moment. We are the only country whose state leadership is not working on procuring vaccines. I call on citizens to be patient, to respect the measures, and I especially call on restaurateurs to respect the measures, because if the number of infections increases and paralyzes our health system, we will have to tighten measures again,” said Forto.

KS Minister of Health Haris Vranić stated that a session of the Crisis Staff is underway, which will adopt a series of recommendations.

“There has been an increase in new infections with a relatively small sample size of tested individuals. We are not testing a large number of fellow citizens to conclude that the curve is rising. We have noticed that hospital capacities are filling up, and that is why we are reacting. No one can say exactly what the reason for the increase in infections is. Our population must adhere to all imposed measures for us to achieve results. I think the reason for the increase in infections is the complacency of our citizens and non-compliance with measures. I hope we will succeed in procuring vaccines, but that does not mean the end of the epidemic. The situation is not dramatic; KS has about 550 beds for COVID, and now there are about 220 patients. The problem is the burden on healthcare staff,” said Vranić.

The minister pointed out that hotspots can be indoor spaces, facilities, and cafes within shopping centers.

Regarding vaccine procurement, Forto stated that discussions are underway for the procurement of the Oxford (AstraZeneca) vaccine and Sputnik.

"Today we did not proceed with tightening measures, but if our health system becomes paralyzed, we will move in that direction," said Forto.  

Director of KUIP, Fahrir Halilović, stated that amendments to the Law on Inspectorates would give them the possibility to temporarily close a facility that violates two imposed measures.

The KUIP, out of 156 systematized positions, has 106 inspectors from various administrative areas who supervise the implementation of 117 laws, 145 regulations, 15 decrees, 11 decisions, and collective and sectoral agreements.

Džafer Hrvat, head of the Uniformed Police Sector of the MUP KS, stated that in August, an offense was prescribed for those who do not comply with measures and orders.

"There were no longer normative prerequisites for the Police Administration to impose sanctions. If it is adopted by the Crisis Staff, the Police Administration will take what is within its jurisdiction," said Hrvat.