On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared a coronavirus pandemic due to an ongoing global outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease, called COVID-19 (which represent an abbreviation of Coronavirus Disease 2019). In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the first case of COVID 19 was recorded on March 5, 2020, while on March 17,2020, a state of natural or other disasters was declared in the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina. To date, 660 cases of infections have been confirmed in the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Decision on the Declaration of a State of Emergency due to the current epidemiological situation entered into force on April 3 in the territory of the Republic of Srpska and the same was adopted on March 28 by the National Assembly of the Republic of Srpska. The Decision will enter into force on the day following its publication in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Srpska. Prior to that Decision, on March 16, 2020, the RS Government issued a Decision declaring an emergency situation. More detailed information on the consequences of a declaration of a state of emergency can be found at the following link:
Authorities at the state and republic levels, as well as at the level of local self-government units, have undertaken a series of measures and activities to prevent the spreading of the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. You can acquire information about the measures and activities taken before March 27 at the following link:
while a brief summary of the most recent measures and activities of the competent authorities adopted since April 2, can be found below.
- In the Republic of Srpska, all citizens were banned from leaving their place of residence from Saturday at 12:00 until Sunday at 18:00, except for persons who were issued certificates by their employer on the necessity to go to work.
- On 3 April, the RS Government adopted the Proposal of the Decree on Deadlines and Procedures in Litigation for the duration of a State of Emergency for the territory of the Republic of Srpska and the Proposal of the Decree with legislative power on offences related to causing panic and disorder.
- The Decree on Prescribing Measures for Direct Price Control in the Republic of Srpska entered into force on April 2, and the same was adopted by the RS Government at its session held on March 30. The Decree stipulates that prices will be established, having regard to March 5, 2020, margin percentage.
- At the session of the Federal Committee of Civil Protection held on April 3, the Decision of March 27, 2020 to suspend trade activity in the Federation of BiH was amended. The new Decision excludes: grocery stores, hygienic items shops, fish markets, butcher shops, pharmacies, specialized stores of medical, veterinary products and equipment, stores of raw materials, agricultural pharmacies, gas stations, kiosks, bakeries, dry cleaners, specialized stores for sale of orthopaedic and other aids, specialized baby equipment stores, animal feed stores, construction material stores, plumbing and electrical materials stores, logistics and distribution centres of food, beverages and hygiene products, drugstores, bookstores, car parts stores, car repair shops and car wash, home appliances stores, furniture stores, but all have to ensure the flow of customers and clients in such a way as to provide the necessary social distance of at least 1.5 meters between persons, while respecting other hygienic and epidemiological measures.
- On April 3, a decision was made in the Federation of BiH to allow persons over the age of 65 to collect their pensions from the bank in the period between 08:00 and 12:00 from Monday, April 6 to Friday, April 10, 2020, and those younger from the age of 18 are allowed to be transported in a vehicle.
- The Government of the Federation of BiH adopted the Draft Law on Mitigation of Negative Economic Consequences, which envisages 10 measures to recover the economy of the Federation of BiH with exemption of the public and financial, as follows: 1) subsidies for mandatory insurance contributions, 2) all levels of government are enabled to relocate their resources, 3) the Law ensures the stability of all payments from the budget, pensions, veterans, social and other benefits, 4) the obligation to pay the advance payment of profit tax is abolished, 5) the entrepreneurs are abolished the obligation to pay income tax, 6 ) the calculation and payment of default interest on public revenues during the period of the state of disaster, and 90 days after the same, shall be suspended. 7) all legal, civil, enforcement and out-of-court proceedings will be suspended during the duration of the state of disaster, 8) the calculation of default interest on all delays in payment of obligations is suspended; 9) the statute of limitations will be stopped in this period and 30 days after the end of the state of disaster, 10) establishment of a Guarantee Fund.
- On April 3, the RS Banking Agency published on its website the answers to questions of banks regarding the Decision on interim measures
- The Conclusions of the Republican Committee for Emergency Situations of April 2 stipulates that during the spring school-break in the period from April 13-16 the regular distance learning for elementary and secondary schools will be continued, while enrolment of children in the first grades will take place as soon as the conditions are fulfilled.
- The Conclusions of the Republican Committee for Emergency Situations of April 2 stipulates that during the spring school-break in the period from April 13-16 the regular distance learning for elementary and secondary schools will be continued, while enrolment of children in the first grades will take place as soon as the conditions are fulfilled.
- The RS Pension and Disability Insurance Fund has informed beneficiaries, older than 65 years, that there is a possibility of authorizing another person to collect their pension on the basis of a one-time power of attorney, whose form is published on the Fund’s website.
- The Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina has issued a notice that the Central European Initiative (CEI) has launched an extraordinary call for proposals for COVID-19 2020, in response to a virus-induced pandemic. The aim of the call is to promptly address the specific needs of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. The total value of the call of EUR 600,000 will be awarded for proposals in three areas: Health and Telemedicine, Education and E-learning/Distance Learning, and Support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. The deadline for submissions is April 9, 2020.
- The Water Supply Company of the City of Banja Luka informed consumers that this company will limit its activities which understands that the calculation and charge for water consumption for the month of March, will be performed on the basis of estimates of average consumption in the previous period, while all those whose work has been suspended will be exempted from the charge. This regime will equally be applied for the month of April, i.e. until the cancellation of emergency measures. In addition, all users are invited that in the period from April 15 to April 22 at the latest, perform their own review of the water meter status and deliver the result to: [email protected] or telephone 051 231-090.
- The work of the Health Centre in Banja Luka has been changed: Access to family ambulances is restricted.
- All spring and summer events in organisation of the Public Institution Banja Luka Tourist Organization have been cancelled, and it includes – Cevap fest, July Kozara ethnos and Summer on Vrbas
