Curfew for those under 18 and over 65 until March 31

SARAJEVO, (Patria) – Following the fourth meeting of the Federal Civil Protection Staff, which lasted five hours, a press conference was held. An order was issued banning the movement of persons under 18 and over 65 years of age in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina starting today until March 31, and other orders were adopted.

It was requested that entities producing medical equipment be granted urgent procurement of raw materials, and the recommendation of the Federal Staff to the Government of FBiH is to ban the export of companies producing protective equipment and medicines needed to mitigate the crisis caused by the coronavirus.

"I hope we will secure a sufficient quantity of protective equipment. The most restrictive ban is the ban on movement for persons under 18 and over 65. We discussed this measure for a long time. A large number of children ended up in parks, in close contact, and the goal is to avoid social contact. Although persons under 18 are not endangered, they are carriers, and this happened in Italy and France, and since they spend time with their grandmothers and grandfathers, let's try to protect our parents over 65. Other orders are assigned to other institutions to prepare the impact on society in the coming period," said Solak.

Marina Bera from the Federal Ministry of Health asked citizens to behave with discipline, follow the measures, and act in accordance with the recommendations. She added that data from clinical centers are collected twice a day at 10 AM and 6 PM. The total number of tested individuals in FBiH is 222, of which 23 are positive: 9 in Konjic, 5 in Mostar, 4 in Zenica, 2 in Bihać, 1 in Goražde, 1 in Orašje, and 1 in Tešanj.

“The coronavirus has more severe consequences for 20% of those infected, and for 80% it has milder consequences. Older people are immunocompromised, especially those with diabetes and hypertension, and the highest number of deaths are in these groups. Take care of vulnerable groups and be disciplined. Only through discipline can we prevent severe consequences of the epidemic's development. Citizens with milder symptoms should stay at home, and those with more severe symptoms, such as fever and severe cough, should call their family doctor,” said Bera.

She emphasized that tests are performed in accordance with parameters, i.e., based on the epidemiological picture.

“Next week, we expect a shipment from the WHO, and there are tests in Tuzla, Mostar, and Sarajevo. The WHO sent 1,000 tests, and today it was decided to purchase 30,000 tests successively as the supplier can deliver them,” said Bera.

Anis Ajdinović, director of the Federal Administration for Inspection Affairs, said that federal sanitary inspectors at border crossings have issued 10,208 isolation orders for passengers entering Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“We have thermal cameras at Sarajevo Airport, Orašje Border Crossing, and Izačić Border Crossing.”

The Inspectorate of Republika Srpska reported 550 individuals residing in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and cantonal Ministries of Internal Affairs have been informed.

“Misdemeanor proceedings have been initiated against 16 individuals for non-compliance with isolation measures.”

Regarding price control, 45 orders were issued.