April 11, 2020 - The Institute of Public Health of Montenegro has confirmed six new COVID-19 patients today, taking the total number of registered cases in the country to 263. Five cases are from Podgorica, and one new COVID-19 patient is coming from Ulcinj.
On Sunday, the Montenegrin citizens are not allowed to leave their homes from 11 am, untill 5 pm on Monday morning. For more info on maesures and rules, check our latest article on this topic.
Number of COVID-19 patients by municipalities:
Podgorica 137
Tuzi 36
Nikšić 31
Bar 21
Ulcinj 10
Andrijevica 7
Bijelo Polje 6
Herceg Novi 6
Budva 4
Danilovgrad 3
Tivat 2
WHO: Montenegro responded promptly and adequately to COVID-19 pandemic
Montenegro has responded promptly and adequately, and all measures taken are in line with the recommendations of the World Health Organization, Mina Brajovic, the head of the organization's office in Montenegro, told RTCG.
Montenegro has acted proactively and introduced timely measures, which, according to epidemiological data, produce results. Physical distance measures such as closing schools, abolishing all types of public gatherings, closing catering facilities, restricting citizens' movement rights have been implemented for a long time. It is crucial to slow the dynamics of the spread and penetration of coronaviruses into the community.
About 16 percent of COVID-19 patients are hospitalized in Montenegro, which is much less than in many countries where the percentage of hospitalizations is up to 40 percent.
Since the world, including Montenegro, is in the acute phase of the pandemic, it is ungrateful to say that the situation will develop in the coming period, said the head of WHO for Montenegro.
National Coordination Body’s Chief Claims: All Taken Measures in line with Constitution
All the measures introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic aimed to protect the health and lives of all citizens and were in line with the Constitution, laws, and the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights. A real value in our joint work reflected in the consistent acceptance of all proposals of profession and science, the president of the National Coordination Body, and deputy prime minister, Milutin Simović, pointed out in an interview for Dan, a daily.
IPSOS survey: Montenegrins put health on top of their priorities
According to the latest research by the IPSOS polling agency, Montenegrins put health in the first place on their list of priorities. The explore was carried out this week with UNICEF’s support.
Most citizens, 93% of them, think that both Orthodox and Roman Catholic Church dignitaries should call on their believers to celebrate Easter at home with the members of their household, thus protecting them from the danger of being infected with the coronavirus.
Citizens trust the Institute of Public Health (IJZ) director, Dr. Boban Mugosa, the most. Follow the Clinical Centre of Montenegro director, Dr. Jevto Erakovic, and Dr. Senad Begic, deputy IJZ director.
Among politicians, Prime Minister Dusko Markovic is the most trusted.
Most citizens didn’t have their salaries cut, and they are not afraid of losing their jobs. However, one in five said their pay was cut. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, 17% are worried about losing their jobs, and 7% said they already lost their job.
Economic measures to fight COVID-19 crisis will take to dept increase
The government’s package to support the economy will take us to the restructuring of public finances and debt increase, but that’s the price we have to pay, a professor at the Faculty of Economy, Ms. Gordana Đurović, noted.
Speaking in a morning TV show of the public broadcaster TVCG, she also said that the EU has been stretching out a helping hand to Montenegro during the coronavirus crisis.
The most important thing is to preserve the economic activity, primarily referring to all those who do not work during the pandemic, she stressed.
“Based on discussions with social partners, I think that the second package to support the economy will be backed as well. It will take us to the restructuring of public finances, increasing indebtedness, but that’s the price we must pay,” Ms. Đurović said.
She believes in the World Bank’s forecasts saying that 2021 could be a year of economic prosperity.
SDP: State should provide support tohospitality business
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) will propose that the state should provide subsidies of 70% of leasing costs for people owning a hospitality business, who have signed lease contracts for using facilities. SDP spokesperson Mr. Mirko Stanić announced.
According to him, these are huge costs and the fact that the decisions of the health ministry banned them from performing affairs now imposes an obligation to cover part of those costs. “This measure would significantly facilitate the business of over three thousand people owning a hospitality business where a large number of Montenegrins work,” claims Mr. Stanić.
Besides some right solutions, he added, it’s evident that those referring to the hospitality sector cannot ensure its stability, the continuation of business operations, and their further existence.
Having in mind the fact that we have several thousand employees in the hospitality sector, the SDP considers that it’s urgent to introduce economic measures to support this sector. There must be a range of additional support on the local level, that is, employers shouldn’t be paying fees to municipalities and local companies for a certain period.
Source: Institute of Public Health, CDM, Dan Daily, Government of Montenegro, Mina News
