Bosnian government declared a state of emergency for the territory of the entire country, Prime Minister Zoran Tegeltija said on Tuesday.

Following Monday’s session the tripartite Presidency, the Council of Ministers decided to declare the state of emergency and to form the coordination body which would coordinate efforts in both entities (the Republika Srpska and the Federation) in fighting the pandemic, Tegeltija said.

The total number of patients with COVID-19 in Bosnia and Herzegovina now stands at 26, and the health authorities confirmed on Monday that two patients, both from the Republika Srpska entity, have fully recovered. 

Epidemiologists believe that the number of infections could rise over the next several days and weeks the state parliament declared the state of emergency on the territory of the entire country and increase the border control.

EU help to the Western Balkans

European Commission’s spokesperson Ana Pisonero said that the European Union is considering ways to link the Western Balkans with Union’s initiatives aimed at fighting the coronavirus pandemic.

“Close coordination and cooperation at regional and EU level are key factors in responding to this emergency. In these difficult times, solidarity is needed. This is not a time for controversy or unfounded accusations,” said Ana Pisonero in a statement.

She added that the EU is considering how best to support the mitigation of socio-economic consequences, including the diversion of IPA funding and making state aid rules more flexible.