April 10, 2020 - Montenegro does not have a significant daily increase in COVID-19 patients. The very rigorous measures in place produce results. Since the start of the event, coronavirus infection has been confirmed in 257 people, 5 of them in the last 24 hours.
-The trend of low infection rate continues. The measures we are taking are yielding results, but this should not be misleading - said the director of the Institute of Public Health, Dr. Boban Mugoša.
Number of COVID-19 patients by municipalities:
Podgorica: 132
Sad: 36
Niksic: 31
Bar: 21
Ulcinj: 9
Andrijevica: 7
Bijelo Polje: 6
Herceg Novi: 6
Budva: 4
Danilovgrad: 3
Tivat: 2
EU donates test material to Montenegro on COVID-19
Testing material for COVID-19 has arrived in Montenegro. A total of 20,000 tests can be done from one tube, EU Delegation to Montenegro Aivo Orav wrote on Twitter.
“A valuable EU donation to the Institute of Public Health, Ministry of Science and Montenegrin laboratories. This material addresses the appearance of false-negative tests. Montenegro is the first country in the region to which it was delivered, ”Orav said.
Society of Professional Journalists: Endangered Freedom of Expression
The Society of Professional Journalists is deeply concerned by the fact that arrests continue in Montenegro for allegedly spreading panic.
The circumstance that particular media, acting unprofessionally and in violation of journalistic ethics, publish false news will not be solved by arresting citizens who share this news on social networks.
Such conduct is a dangerous threat to freedom of expression, which, under the provisions of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Freedoms, can only be restricted if so prescribed by law, based on a legitimate aim and necessary in a democratic society. It's about the so-called three-part test according to which the competent national authorities must, in each case, assess whether the interference with freedom of expression exceeds the permitted limit.
In the opinion of the Association of Professional Journalists of Montenegro, in the context of the first step of the three-part test, it is particularly debatable whether it can be uncritically considered that a "panic spread" has occurred if no one, except the police and the prosecution, sees it. They also believe that it may not be necessary for a democratic society for any person to be deprived of their liberty and held criminally responsible for sharing certain news on a social network.
Specific situations that arise in society, such as the declaration of an infectious disease epidemic in the particular case, place an individual task on the state authorities to ensure respect for fundamental rights and freedoms in such circumstances. The state authorities demonstrate their ability, seriousness, and professionalism by completing this task, and any other treatment endangers the society as a whole and impedes its further development, the journalists said.
Online education of medical staff
Clinical Center of Montenegro, with the support of the World Health Organization, organized online training for health professionals from all over the country.
The aim, they say, is to increase the quality of work of all health care institutions by providing direct guidance for reorganizing facilities in epidemic conditions, to reduce the risk of virus entry into hospitals.
It is crucial for maintaining the functionality of Montenegro's health system. They pointed out.
Lectures and educational material, they said, will be available through the Website and the Jutjub channel of the Clinical Center of Montenegro to all health professionals in the country.
"Clinical Centre's educators will also have teleconferences twice a week with doctors across the country for consultation and information sharing," they said.
From this health institution, they expressed their sincere gratitude to the World Health Organization for supporting another significant project, not only for the Clinical Centre but also for all health care institutions in Montenegro.
Fishing from the boat is allowed, but with all other measures
The introduction of a rule banning fishing for sport fishers has caused great discontent in the last two days, especially for citizens from coastal municipalities. Numerous reactions have led the authorities to reconsider this decision.
Regarding the COVID-19 National Coordination Body's measures related to the prohibition of recreational fishing, Dr. Boban Mugoša said today that fishing is allowed for one person in a small boat or two anglers in a larger vessel in which it is possible to keep a distance.
A condition for going fishing is a valid fishing license and notification to the competent municipal police.
Montenegrin seafarers returning home
The Ministry of Transport and Maritime Affairs, based on the decisions of the National Coordination Body and coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, organized the return of a large number of Montenegrin seafarers from all over the world.
The Ministry of Transport registered the first case of seeking their help on the matter on March 17, when a Montenegrin seaman disembarked in Senegal and for which a naval agency provided transport to Istanbul.
"The National Coordination Body, in agreement with the Turkish authorities, organized its return with 130 other Montenegrin citizens from Istanbul to Montenegro on March 20," Ministry officials told the Mina-business news agency.
"The last action for the return and reception of our ten seafarers from the port of Genoa was organized on April 5 and 6 through the Embassy of Montenegro in Rome, and the return of our 11 sailors via Zadar and the border crossing Debeli Brijeg on April 6," the Ministry said.
They said all seafarers were quarantined at the Igalo Institute and were feeling well.
