July 22, 2020 - The Institute of Public Health of Montenegro (IPH) completed the PCR analysis of 612 samples for the new coronavirus, among which 98 results were COVID-19 positive.

New patients are from:

Podgorica 36

Niksic 32

Berane 11

Bijelo Polje 7

Bar 3

Pljevlja 2

Rozaje 2

Herceg Novi 2

Cetinje 1

Kotor 1

Žabljak 1

There were no deaths yesterday. Since the beginning of June, the number of confirmed deaths for COVID-19 remains 26. Thirty-nine patients have recovered. The total number of active cases of COVID-19 in Montenegro is 1920.

COVID-19 epidemic declared again in Montenegro

Montenegro has again declared an epidemic of coronavirus across the entire territory, and masks are mandatory from tomorrow, both outdoors and indoors throughout the country.

"The obligation also includes children older than seven years," it was announced on the Government's Twitter account.

The application of the measures started at midnight.

Measures for the whole of Montenegro

Wearing protective masks outdoors and indoors is mandatory throughout Montenegro, including for children older than seven years, except on beaches and national parks, subject to physical distance and previously prescribed measures.

The gathering of persons is limited across the entire state territory to a maximum of 40 persons in open public places, and 20 persons in closed, with the obligation to respect a physical distance of at least two meters. (This obligation does not apply to residential buildings.)

Due to the extremely high epidemiological risk posed by certain groups, the following measures adopted on June 30 have been extended until August 6:

Disco clubs/bars and nightclubs/bars ar eto remain closed, and
Organization of weddings, graduation, birthday and other private celebrations is prohibited.

The application of the measures adopted on July 7 has been extended until July 30, which:

Prohibits the holding of entertainment and music programs in catering facilities (restaurants, cafes, cafeterias, hotel restaurants, and similar catering facilities), including beach bars (concerts, live performances by musicians and bands, live performances by DJ performers, etc.).

Measures for the Northern region

Special measures announced in some municipalities in the Northern region have been mitigated. In Andrijevica, Plav, and Gusinje, catering facilities (restaurants, cafes, cafeterias, hotel restaurants, and similar catering facilities) from tomorrow can start working from 6 am to 10 pm under the same conditions and in the same way as regulated in Podgorica, Cetinje, and Nikšić.

In the Municipality of Rožaje, restrictions on leaving one's place of residence have been relaxed. Instead of the previous rule allowing movement from 5 am to 6 pm, the curfew in Rožaje begins at 10 pm.

Both measures apply until July 30.

Stricter measures for catering facilities in some municipalities

Measures regarding the work of catering facilities in the capital Podgorica, the capital Cetinje and the municipality of Niksic - are mandatory from today in Plužine, Žabljak, Šavnik, Danilovgrad, Tuzi, Kolašin, Mojkovac, Andrijevica, Plav, and Gusinje.

Companies, other legal entities, and entrepreneurs who perform catering activities in catering facilities (restaurants, cafes, cafeterias, hotel restaurants, and similar catering facilities) are obliged to organize their work in such a way that:

- a maximum of two guests can sit at one table inside the catering facility, or four guests on the terrace/garden of the facility;

- self-service is not permitted, as well as waiting and standing at the bar;

- a distance of at least 2m is provided between the tables, following the recommendations of NKT;

- they ensure regular maintenance of hygiene and disinfection of shared rooms, furniture, equipment, etc., following the recommendations of the Institute of Public Health of Montenegro.

In these municipalities, the IPH measures are applied until July 30.

Prolonged application of measures for individual municipalities

The application of the measure prohibiting catering activities in catering facilities (restaurants, cafes, cafeterias, hotel restaurants, and similar catering facilities) has been extended until July 30, including the provision of catering services at beaches and beaches:

In the municipalities of Berane, Bijelo Polje, Petnjica, Pljevlja and Rožaje,

From 24:00 to 06:00 in the municipalities of Bar, Budva, Herceg Novi, Kotor, Tivat, and Ulcinj.
From 22:00 to 6:00 in the Capital Podgorica, the Capital Cetinje and the municipalities of Nikšić, Danilovgrad, Tuzi, Kolašin, Mojkovac, Žabljak, Šavnik and Plužine.

The ban on road transport of passengers to and from the Municipality of Rozaje has been extended until July 30, except for transportation to perform regular work activities and provide emergency health services and other urgent tasks, which must be performed in line with prescribed protection measures.

Documents for foreigners valid until October 7

The application of the measure by which state bodies, state administration bodies, local self-government bodies and local administration, companies, public institutions, and other legal entities, and entrepreneurs were obliged to issue permanent and temporary residence and work permits, whose validity period has expired, is considered valid until October 7, 2020.

Measures whose application has been extended for a certain period may be reconsidered after the expiry of those periods, and their use may be extended again.

July 21, 2020 - The traditional "Fašinada" event will be held also this year, but following counter- COVID-19 rules. It is to be held this Wednesday, July 22, for the 569th time. The ornate boats from Perast will set sail for the island of Our Lady of Rocks before sunset, at 6.30 pm.

"This year, due to the current coronavirus situation, the Fašinada will be held in more unusual conditions as we have to maintain distance between people in boats. There will be four people in the first boat; we have provided a boat 10 meters long to ensure the distance prescribed by the National Coordination Body's measures. The second boat with singers will be subject to the same regulations. Due to social distancing, there will be a maximum of two people in the other boats. This year we do not expect a big crowd due to a much smaller number of tourists compared to previous years," said Perast parish priest Don Srećko Majić to Boka News.

Fašinada - a tradition that has never been interrupted

The Fašinada is a tradition that has never been interrupted and has the characteristics of both a religious and tourist event, being a custom that you can not see or experience anywhere in the Mediterranean," said Don Srećko Majić.

Legend has it that Perast fishers found the icon of the Our Lady with Christ on the rock (which is today on the main altar) and decided to immerse stones and shipwrecks to build an island and church dedicated to Our Lady of the Rock. Since then, the unwritten vow of Perast sailors is to immerse new rocks around the island before each trip out to sea, contributing to the strength of the base of the temple of their patron saint.

It is probably for that reason that Fašinada was created. The event is named after the Italian word "fascia," which means ribbon or bandage. It is so-called because the convoy of boats, decorated with tree branches and filled with stones, is linked in a chain. Only the pastor and men are in the boats, being the ancestors of famous sailors and more prominent Perastans, while women greet them from the shore.

Every year on July 22, at sunset, a convoy of boats goes to the island to fulfill their ancestors' legacy by throwing stones around the island. The island with the original church was built at the end of the 15th century. The church expanded following the changes in the island's dimensions. Today's church was built in 1630 and is one of Boka's most important historical and cultural monuments.

Fašinada, Photo Boka News

The traditional Fašinada Cup regatta will not be held this year

July 20, 2020 - In the last 24 hours, 95 new patients infected with coronavirus have been registered in Montenegro, and 1,861 cases of COVID-19 are currently active in the country. New cases were detected by analysis of 614 PCR tests and were recorded in Podgorica 37, Bar 12, Kotor 11, Budva 8, Pljevlja 6, Bijelo Polje 5, Herceg Novi 4, Berane 3, Niksic 2, Rozaje 2, Cetinje 1, and Ulcinj 1.

In the past 24 hours, three patients have died from COVID-19. One patient was born in 1951, and the other in 1970 - it was reported at the press conference of the National Coordination Body for Infectious Diseases (NKT), by the Director of the Clinical Center of Montenegro, Jevto Eraković. Immediately after the press conference, information arrived that another patient had died, but no more details were announced.

Two cases of recoveries from COVID-19 in Podgorica were also reported. The total number of recoveries since June 14 is 72. The total number of active COVID-19 patients in Montenegro is 1861.

Assistant Director of the Institute of Public Health, Dr. Senad Begić, said that 724 cases of coronavirus were active in Podgorica, in Rožaje 239, Bijelo Polje 177, Nikšić 119, Berane 90, Budva 80, Kotor 79, Bar 78, Pljevlja 70. Other municipalities, as he said, have fewer than 70 active cases.

161 COVID-19 patients hospitalized

One hundred sixty-one covid-positive patients are currently hospitalized in Montenegro, 28 of them at the Clinical Center of Montenegro. Seventeen patients in the Infectious Diseases Clinic are in stable condition. Eight patients are at the Internal Medicine Clinic, three of whom are on a respirator, in a life-threatening condition.

The Clinical Center of Montenegro has expanded its capacities for COVID-19 patients, and as of today, the health center has 28 more beds.

At the General Hospital in Berane, 47 patients infected with coronavirus are being treated. Four patients are in a serious condition, one of whom is on a respirator.

About 90 children have contracted the new coronavirus in Montenegro. These are cases with a milder clinical picture or asymptomatic. There are currently three patients, up to the age of nine, at the Institute for Children's Diseases, including a 10-month-old baby who is asymptomatic. They are all in a stable condition..

One thousand eighty-six new COVID-19 cases registered today in the region

In the region, the largest number of active patients with COVID-19 per 100 thousand inhabitants is registered in Montenegro, followed by Northern Macedonia and Kosovo. In Montenegro, there are 295 active cases per 100 thousand inhabitants, in Northern Macedonia 190, in Kosovo 145. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, 138 cases per 100 thousand inhabitants were registered, in Albania 59, in Croatia 28 and Slovenia 12. On the official website covid19.rs today, data on the number of active cases were not published, but only on the number of covid-related  hospitalizations in Serbia. The review for the number of active cases per 100 thousand inhabitants in the region therefore does not provide data for the current number of active cases in Serbia.

The largest number of hospitalizations per 100 thousand inhabitants is registered in Serbia, followed by Kosovo and Montenegro. In Serbia, 68 patients are hospitalized per 100 thousand, in Kosovo 31, and Montenegro 26. In Northern Macedonia, 20 hospitalized per 100 thousand inhabitants were registered, in Croatia four, and Slovenia one.

In the region, the highest number of coronavirus infections related to the number of inhabitants is registered in Northern Macedonia, followed by Montenegro and Serbia.

The highest mortality rate is in Slovenia, 5.79 percent, Northern Macedonia 4.67 percent, followed by Croatia with 2.79 percent and BiH with 2.73 percent. Albania's death rate is 2.71 percent, Kosovo 2.37 percent, Serbia 2.27 percent, and Montenegro 1.53 percent.

In Montenegro, the highest percentage of COVID-19 patients is in Rozaje

In Montenegro, by municipality, the most significant number of actively ill per ten thousand inhabitants was registered in Rožaje - 104, in second place is Gusinje with 102. In Budva, 42 active covid cases per ten thousand inhabitants were recorded, in Podgorica 39, in Bijelo Polje and Cetinje 38 each, Kotor 35, Tivat 27, Berane 26, Pljevlja 23, Petnjica 20, Bar 19, Niksic 16. In Herceg Novi, there are 15 registered active patients per ten thousand inhabitants, Ulcinj nine, Zabljak six, Danilovgrad and Tuzi four, Andrijevica two, and Kolasin one.

Three employees infected, Municipality of Herceg Novi suspends work with clients

In the Municipality of Herceg Novi, COVID-19 has been confirmed in three employees, and the local authority has temporarily suspended its client-facing work. The Municipality has suggested to the public that they fulfill their requests via e-mail, telephone contact, or the Civic Bureau.

In Herceg Novi, about 300 people are under epidemiological monitoring.

There are currently 175 people in quarantine isolation in part of the Institute, and there is currently no more space available.

July 20, 2020 - On the program of the 19th KotorArt Don Branko's Music Days tomorrow at 9.30 pm in the Church of St. Spirit, as part of the KotorArt Talents series, soprano Petra Radulović will be performing alongside the pianist Professor Oleksiy Molchanov.

Petra Radulović is studying solo vocal performance at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna. During the last year, she had notable performances in the capital of Serenissima. Among others, she performed with the young pianist Andrija Jovović, whose concert, also at the Festival, is scheduled for Saturday, July 25, in the Church of St. Spirit at 9.30 pm. Both appearances by these young performers will be broadcast live on Kotor's Cinema Square, in partnership with the Ombra cafe. It is also possible to follow the concert virtually, via social media platforms Youtube and Facebook.

On Friday, July 24, at the Cinema Square at 9 pm, KotorArt will start a series of talks with relevant artists, festival directors, and intellectuals, as well as on the impact of the coronavirus on cultural life, art, and festivals. The first conversation is reserved for two prominent Montenegrin artists, guitarist Miloš Karadaglić and pianist Ratimir Martinović, Director of KotorArt, who will host the evening. They will discuss various experiences within the current situation and its impact on the world of music, the position of art in Montenegro in these circumstances, and the perspective and ways of adapting to the new reality.

The weekend at the Festival is traditionally reserved for Jazz Square. On Saturday, July 25, in the Luštica Bay Amphitheater at 9 pm, the MP trio's performance is planned, which will be presented to the festival audience in Kotor on Sunday, July 26, at the Cinema Square at 10 pm. MP Trio consists of famous jazz musicians Miladin Perunicic (guitar), Davor Novak (bass guitar), and Ivan Ivanovic (drums).

In addition to these programs, KotorArt Don Branko's Music Days continue with the concept of the Port of Art, which includes performances by young musicians from the terraces of several Kotor palaces, giving a unique atmosphere of the Old Town during the Festival, as well as morning concerts "Boka Music."

The KotorArt International Festival, an event of national importance for the culture of Montenegro, won the most prestigious award in the field of tourism "Wild Beauty Awards" and was declared the best event in Montenegro for 2018. Every summer, KotorArt gathers an impressive number of international artists, and with over 200 programs (dozens of central and over one hundred accompanying programs) at numerous ambient locations in Kotor and across Boka. It attracts tens of thousands of visitors, making it one of the most visited festivals in the region. 

July 20, 2020 - The fishing port planned for the southern part of the Montenegrin coast, will provide a sufficient number of safe berths for Montenegrin fishers. It will undoubtedly be another tourist attraction of the Ulcinj region, believes the Director of the Institute of Marine Biology Aleksandar Joksimovic.

Fishers use only a certain number of berths in existing ports and marinas, which also creates an administrative burden for them. This problem is especially evident during the summer months, when the tourist season is in full swing, and when a large number of yachts are staying in our ports and marinas," explains Joksimović.

The scientists of the Institute of Marine Biology pointed out the need for this port, within the process of negotiations between Montenegro and the European Union, through the working group 13-Fisheries.

They also participated in the development of the Fisheries Strategy of Montenegro 2015 - 2020 with an action plan for the transposition, implementation, and enforcement of the Acquis Chapter 13-fisheries. They gave particular importance to the provision of fishing infrastructure and logistics on the coast.

"Along with the rejuvenation of the fishing fleet, whose average age is close to 50 years, safe berths for fishing boats must be provided.
He points out that the development of modern fisheries largely depends on logistics on the coast.

"Once the fishermen have a safe fishing port, they will undoubtedly sleep more soundly, because at the moment every storm and squall carries the danger of breaking the berths and damaging the boats. It is known that the south wind is strong and hazardous, which develops from the Otranto Gate and batters the coast of Montenegro.

Once the first berth sites on the coast are built, fishers will have a more accessible opportunity to sell their catch in controlled conditions. It certainly gives a new impetus to the control by the competent institutions but also provides better and more accurate statistics on the annual catch of all fishermen. Such well-developed and modernized fishing is the future of the coastal region of Montenegro, and our society has a chance to have healthy food from the sea on its tables, says Joksimović.

Research of marine fisheries resources, which the Institute continuously conducts within national government programs for the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development needs, and international scientific expeditions (MEDITS and MEDIAS), shows a well-preserved fish stock in Montenegrin seas compared to other areas of the Adriatic.

"More precisely, this fact gives us the right to request the exemption of Montenegro from restrictive measures, i.e., the Decision on reducing the number of fishing days and catches, both for demersal and pelagic resources, at all meetings of the General Fisheries Commission of the Mediterranean."

We have won key battles in this area, and for now, the decisions of the GFCM and the EU do not apply to countries that have small fleets and make low catches annually. This is of exceptional importance for the fisheries of Montenegro because we want to strengthen and modernize our fleet, with safe and robust ships, which can make better catches," said Joksimović.

He believes that this fact gives an opportunity to the processing industry, which should, with the help of European funds, open small, family factories for processing fish and fish products in the hinterland of the Montenegrin coast.

"Such a final product will undoubtedly have a higher economic value than raw fish. These products should find their way to the tourist gastronomic offerings of our hotels and restaurants, which should be taken into account. Of course, we should also increase the consumption of fish and seafood among ​​our own people, considering that food from the sea is rich in healthy proteins and omega fatty acids," states Joksimović.

As an essential link in all aspects of this economic activity, the Director of the Institute of Marine Biology, emphasizes the vital role of fishers, as members of all national working groups.

"Fishers are the most vital here because without them there would be no fishing. They know best how hard and demanding the work is. Their suggestions and comments are of great importance in all initiatives and projects related to fisheries. As much as possible, we always accept suggestions and work to maximize their interest, says Joksimovic.

As a scientific research organizational unit of the University of Montenegro, the Institute is a link between fishers, their needs and requirements, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Administration.

"Because of their trust in the Institute, everything they notice, they immediately tell us, ask us for our opinion, look for scientific answers to the processes and changes in the sea, which they see. Through this mutual communication, we enrich knowledge, and we come up with essential data. We are especially dedicated to the appearance of new invasive species, which we have recorded in recent years. Fishermen are happy to receive the scientific teams of the Institute on boats, which in their regular activities get the original data on the state of our fish stock, which is indeed the best possible way of doing so," states Joksimović.

On the other hand, he adds, the Ministry has a reliable scientific partner in the Institute, especially with regard to making important decisions based on scientific data.

"In that way, we are all certain that fishing must be sustainable, respecting all the principles and codes of responsible fishing, which we have been cultivating in Montenegro for decades," says Joksimović.
He also points out that the Institute carries out broad international cooperation in the areas of Mediterranean and Adriatic fisheries, and sea ecosystems, which is borne out through many completed and ongoing projects, within which the Institute is a vital partner.

"Our wish is to make the best use of our "blue" field and to, as much as possible, increase the consumption of healthy fish and seafood in our society," concludes Joksimović.

July 19. 2020 - The largest number of new COVID-19 cases since the beginning of the first wave of the epidemic was registered in Montenegro today. The Institute of Public Health detected 116 new patients infected with coronavirus in a sample of 701 tests.

The new patients are from Podgorica 40, Nikšić 32, Herceg Novi 10, Kotor 10, Bar 7, Budva 6, Rožaje 6, Berane 3, Danilovgrad 1, and Cetinje 1.

Two more COVID-19 patients were admitted to hospital, one from Podgorica and the other from Bar. The total number of confirmed deaths from COVID-19 since the beginning of June is 23. Seven recovered were also reported - three from Danilovgrad and four from Podgorica. The total number of patients who have recovered since June 14 is 70. The total number of active cases of COVID19 in Montenegro is 1771.

The number of COVID-19 cases by municipality:

Podgorica 692
Rozaje 237
Bijelo Polje 172
Nikšić 117
Berane 87
Budva 72
Kotor 68
Bar 66
Pljevlja 64
Cetinje 62
Herceg Novi 41
Tivat 35
Ulcinj 17
Gusinje 17
Petnjica 11
Danilovgrad 7
Tuzi 2
Žabljak 2
Andrijevica 1
Kolasin 1
Mojkovac 0
Plav 0
Pluzine 0
Šavnik 0

10 COVID-19 patients in a life-threatening condition

In the Clinical Center of Montenegro, four patients are in a life-threatening condition and connected to a respirator, while in the Berane hospital, five people are in a life-threatening condition.

The Clinical Center is currently treating 25 patients in whom a COVID-19 presence has been confirmed.

As for Berane hospital, 62 patients have been hospitalized with confirmed COVID-19, of which five were in a life-threatening condition.

At the General Hospital in Nikšić, 36 patients with COVID-19 have been hospitalized, one of whom was in a life-threatening condition, said the Director of the health institution, Ilija Ašanin. He said that 29 patients are in the Infectious Diseases Department and seven in Psychiatry.

"One patient is in a life-threatening condition, the others are stable for now," said Ašanin, emphasizing that Niksić hospital has 55 beds for COVID-19 patients and 25 in the psychiatric ward for coronavirus patients. According to him, the hospital can respond to a possible increase in the number of sick patients who need hospital care.

Counter- COVID-19 measures for Nikšić and Cetinje as for Podgorica

The measures will be applied for seven days after which their application may be extended.

Galic: COVID-19 patients hide people they have been in contact with

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crises, 6,116 people have lost their jobs

Since the introduction of the first measures to prevent coronavirus spread, 6,116 people have lost their jobs since March, according to data from the Employment Service. Most of them are craftsmen and workers in electrical and mechanical engineering.

Caterers are also complaining about the massive drop in profits, and they too are afraid that they will have to lay off workers. The Union of Free Trade Unions says that we will only feel the real consequences of COVID-19 in the autumn, after a lost tourist season.

July 18, 2020 - Laboratories of the Institute of Public Health completed PCR analysis of 321 samples for the new coronavirus in the last 24 hours, among which 48 results were COVID-19 positive. Two more deaths were reported in two patients treated at the Clinical Center of Montenegro and the General Hospital in Berane. The total number of confirmed deaths from COVID-19 since the beginning of June is 21. The number of active cases in Montenegro is 1664.

New patients are from Podgorica 16, Budva 10, Bijelo Polje 6, Berane 4, Bar 4, Cetinje 3, Rozaje 2, Herceg Novi 1, Danilovgrad 1, and Kotor 1.

The number of active COVID-19 cases by municipality:

Podgorica 657
Rozaje 231
Bijelo Polje 172
Nikšić 85
Berane 84
Pljevlja 64
Cetinje 61
Kotor 58
Budva 66
Bar 60
Tivat 35
Herceg Novi 31
Ulcinj 17
Gusinje 17
Petnjica 11
Danilovgrad 9
Tuzi 2
Žabljak 2
Andrijevica 1
Kolasin 1
Mojkovac 0
Plav 0
Pljevlja 0
Šavnik 0

29 COVID-19 patients in the Clinical Center of Montenegro

At the Clinical Center of Montenegro, 29 patients are currently being treated in whom the presence of COVID-19 infection has been confirmed.

"There are 19 patients in the Clinic for Infectious Diseases, nine in the Internal Medicine Clinic, four in the Semi-Intensive Care Unit and five in the Intensive Care Unit, and one patient in the Orthopedics and Traumatology Clinic," it was announced from the Clinical Center of Montenegro.

Citizens in the North ask for a review of counter- COVID-19 measures

About fifty owners of catering facilities in Berane addressed an open letter to the National Coordination Body for Infectious Diseases (NKT). They asked them to reconsider the measure banning the operation of catering facilities in the city. In Berane, according to statistics from yesterday, 81 people are COVID-19 positive. The caterers said they support measures aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19, but believe they are being applied selectively.

"This selective measure does not put us on the same level with our colleagues in Podgorica and on the coast, and at the same time, given that we are in the poor north, it further endangers our livelihood and that of our workers," the letter reads.

The operation of catering facilities is temporarily banned in Pljevlja, Bijelo Polje, Berane, Petnjica, Andrijevica, Plav, as well as Rožaje and Gusinje. The measure is in force until July 22. A review of the rules was previously requested from Plav, Gusinje, and Rožaje.

URA demands exemption of tourist businesses from paying Morsko Dobro and municipalities

Today, the civil movement URA sent a proposal that, due to the catastrophically bad tourist season, tourist companies be exempted from paying fees to Morsko Dobro and municipalities and abolishing rent payments for locations owned by the state.

They believe that the tourist economy is suffering significant blows due to the spread of the coronavirus.

"The borders remain closed, and the EU recently removed Montenegro from the list of safe countries. This tourist season will be catastrophically bad and below all government projections. Therefore, we must concentrate on saving public health and saving as much as we can at a given moment," the URA movement highlights.

July 18, 2020 - A large number of people infected with the coronavirus in Montenegro have no symptoms, and that is why the COVID-19 disease quickly spreads to a significant amount of contacts, the Assistant Director of the Institute of Public Health, Senad Begić, told Radio Free Europe (RSE).

Montenegro was the last country in Europe to register the first case of COVID-19 (March 17) and the first in which no evidence of infection was registered for 28 consecutive days (two incubation cycles). That is why the end of the epidemic was declared in the country on June 2.

In that period (March 17 - May 4), 324 COVID-19 cases were registered, of which nine people died.

When asked why Montenegro went from a "corona free" country to the country of the Western Balkans with the most significant number of infected per 100,000 inhabitants, Begić believes that the key reason is that everyone, together as a society, relaxed.

"The import of the virus could not be avoided, and it was clear to everyone. As long as it is anywhere in the world, there are no protected and safe countries or territories," said Begić.

The main problem mostly lies in the virus characteristics. Above all, a vast number of infected people, those who are ready and able to pass the infection on, most have no symptoms.

"At the time when we identified the first cases, the situation on the ground was such that, thanks to that asymptomatic nature, they spread the disease to a relatively large number of contacts. Everything we register now and everything we see now is a consequence of behavior and events that took place a few weeks ago," concludes Begić.

Due to the increase in the number of infected people, the European Union removed Montenegro from the list of safe countries to which travel is allowed, due to the negative epidemiological situation. As announced from Brussels, this is a recommendation that is not binding for EU members.

When it comes to the region, 14-day self-isolation is prescribed for Montenegrin citizens entering Serbia. It is possible to enter North Macedonia and Kosovo with a negative test for Covid-19. Citizens of Montenegro can enter Bosnia and Herzegovina without restrictions.

Montenegrin citizens must register a negative test when entering Croatia, or they will have to undergo mandatory self-isolation or fourteen-day quarantine.

Strict measures accompanied the first cycle of the disease in Montenegro. All educational institutions, restaurants, fitness, and shopping centers were closed. Restrictions were in place regarding leaving the home, and it was forbidden to gather as more than two people on the street or in a car. Intercity traffic was also abolished. The most extreme example was the quarantine of Tuzi's municipality, near Podgorica, after 15 cases of infection were discovered in one day.

The second cycle of the disease, although with a much higher number of infections, is not accompanied by strict measures. Current measures include keeping a physical distance, a mask indoors (in Podgorica, a face cover is also mandatory in the open air from July 17), and appeals by the National Coordination Body (NKT) for enhanced hygiene. The NKT says that people are now going out to work, "because the economy also defends public health."

Due to the worsening of the epidemiological situation, the manner of holding parliamentary and municipal elections in four Montenegrin municipalities, scheduled for August 30, is also being questioned.

Source: Radio Free Europe

In the coming weeks, Frontex’s presence will be extended to maritime border control, including support for search and rescue.

July 18, 2020 - The European Border and Coast Guard Agency Frontex, whose main task is to protect the external borders of the European Union, launched an operation in Montenegro on 15th July, which is the agency's second operation outside the EU, balkansec.net reports.

Montenegro is, after Albania, the second country in the Western Balkans where the EU is launching a mission to improve border control and combat illegal migration, a move which could be followed by missions in Serbia, North Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

According to Frontex, several officers will be deployed in Montenegro to assist the Montenegrin border authorities at the border with Croatia.

In the coming weeks, the presence will be extended to border control at sea, including support to search and rescue tasks.

The main goal of the operation is to combat cross-border crime, migrant smuggling, trafficking in human beings, document fraud, stolen vehicles and boats, as well as preventing the smuggling of drugs and weapons and terrorism, writes balkansec.net.

An agreement was reached two years ago between the EU and Montenegro on the deployment of Frontex members on the Montenegrin border.