The National Coordination Body for Communicable Diseases, at today’s session chaired by President Milutin Simović, analyzed the epidemiological situation in Montenegro and assessed that all state authorities in the past period timely and effectively undertook all planned activities to protect the health and lives of citizens from the coronavirus epidemic, and that the measures taken so far are largely respected. In this respect, the National Coordination Body expressed its gratitude to the citizens for their understanding of the gravity of the situation and their responsible behaviour and once again strongly urged all competent institutions to strictly sanction any violation of measures.

The National Coordination Body noted with concern that some catering facilities were allowing citizens to buy beverages in portable packaging and to gather in a wider area of facilities, which is an example of violation of order adopted on 15 March. Reminding that such actions pose a risk to the health and lives of citizens, the National Coordination Body warns that the Criminal Code of Montenegro prescribes that “anyone who during an epidemic of a dangerous contagious disease fails to act according to regulations, decisions or orders shall be punished by a fine or imprisonment for a maximum term not exceeding one year”, and if anyone seriously impairs the health of another person shall be punished by an imprisonment sentence of one to eight years, and in the case of death of up to twelve years.