CONCLUSIONS OF THE PRESIDENCY OF BIH: Fight against the coronavirus pandemic

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The Presidency of BiH, at its 56th extraordinary session, adopted a conclusion with 18 points regarding the current situation with the coronavirus pandemic.

1. Considering the activities of institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Presidency of BiH assesses that institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina are reacting promptly and undertaking a series of measures to prevent the spread of the epidemic. The Presidency of BiH supports the efforts of competent institutions regarding the crisis.
2. The Presidency of BiH requests all institutions to continue their activities and urgently undertake necessary measures, in accordance with the degree of danger.

3. The Presidency of BiH expects the Council of Ministers of BiH to declare a state of natural or other disaster caused by the coronavirus pandemic, in accordance with the Framework Law on Protection and Rescue of People and Material Property from Natural and Other Disasters in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and to fill and activate the BiH Coordination Body for Protection and Rescue in accordance with this law.
4. The Presidency of BiH will be in continuous contact, and considers that other institutions must also remain in continuous communication to ensure timely decision-making and crisis response.

5. The Presidency of BiH considers the decision of the Council of Ministers of BiH on the entry of foreign nationals from countries affected by the pandemic to be adequate and that it should be analyzed on a daily basis and supplemented as needed and in accordance with the recommendations of competent health institutions.
6. The Presidency of BiH supports the initiative to introduce quarantine at border crossings, with the readiness to approve military equipment based on the request of competent health institutions.

7. The transport of goods should be regulated by a facilitated regime, while adhering to sanitary standards for the fight against COVID-19.

8. The Presidency of BiH requests the Council of Ministers of BiH to reduce the number of border crossings to the minimum number necessary for the return of BiH citizens and unimpeded transport of goods, all in agreement with neighboring countries.

9. The Presidency of BiH orders the Armed Forces of BiH to make all their resources available for the needs of pandemic protection. The use of AF BiH resources will be defined by separate decisions of the Presidency of BiH upon the request of competent institutions.
10. The Presidency of BiH requests all citizens and legal entities to strictly adhere to the instructions of competent institutions regarding behavior in this situation.

11. The Presidency of BiH requests the Council of Ministers of BiH, entity governments, cantonal governments, the Government of Brčko District, and local communities to urgently undertake measures within their jurisdiction to mitigate the consequences of the crisis on the business operations of economic entities in BiH and their employees.

12. The Presidency of BiH requires the Council of Ministers of BiH to intensify communication with all international organizations and institutions that can provide assistance to BiH in this situation.

13. The Presidency of BiH and other competent institutions will consider the possibility of using reserve funds of the Central Bank of BiH to cushion the effects of this crisis.

14. The Presidency of BiH expects competent levels of government to make decisions on the operation of public services, and the movement and gathering of people, in accordance with their jurisdiction.

15. The Presidency of BiH calls on BiH citizens residing abroad to postpone their arrivals and visits to BiH during the period of intensive measures to suppress the spread of COVID-19.

16. The Presidency of BiH calls on the Council of Ministers of BiH to prepare a draft Law on Amendments to the Law on Public Procurement and submit it for urgent parliamentary procedure in order to remove obstacles for the urgent procurement of equipment and other items necessary for suppressing the spread of COVID-19.
17. The Presidency of BiH requests the Council of Ministers of BiH to compile a list of urgent needs for resources necessary for the fight against COVID-19, based on the expressed needs of the entity, cantonal, and Brčko District governments.
18. The Presidency of BiH tasks all competent institutions to submit weekly information on the implementation of conclusions and defined operational measures.