Latest News from Montenegro
Montenegro Detains Priest for Defying Ban on Gatherings
Christ resurrection temple in Podgorica, Montenegro. BIRN/Samir Kajosevic
"He violated the temporary measure that religious rites must be performed exclusively without the presence of believers," the police said in a press realise.
Concern for Rights in Montenegro amid COVID-19 Fight
The country, which has been run by the same party for the past three decades, has a long record of restricting human rights and violating data privacy rights.
Activists fear the government will exploit the COVID-19 pandemic to clamp down further. The government says its overriding priority is to protect the lives and health of Montenegrin citizens.
Bulgaria Suspends Entry and Transit of Lorries Travelling to Turkey
By order of Minister of Health, Kiril Ananiev, the entry into and transit through the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria of heavy goods vehicles travelling to the Republic of Turkey and arriving from the following countries is temporarily suspended as of March 25:
Montenegro Places First Town under Total Quarantine
Empty streets in Tuzi. Photo: BIRN/Samir Kajosevic
Government vice-president Milutin Simovic told locals on Tuesday night that they would have to remain at home until further notice. "Without exception, all citizens of Tuzi must be at their homes. We are beginning a battle for this town and for all of Montenegro," Simovic told a press conference.
Europe’s Other Coronavirus Victim: Information and Data Rights
In the semi-democracies of the region, as lives moved from the public to the digital sphere, many freedoms were likewise suspended, while the burden of responsibility for violations fell on citizens as government imposed restrictions that in many cases flouted normal standards of human rights.
EU moves to start membership talks with Albania, North Macedonia, draft shows
The European Union can start membership negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia, according to a draft decision by the bloc's 27 member states seen by Reuters on Monday and due to be finalised this week.
The first coronavirus victim in Montenegro, visited Serbia in early March
He is the first victim of the COVID-19 virus in the country, said KC CG director Jevto Erakovic, CdM's Podgorica portal reports.
The man, who was from Herceg Novi, was admitted to the Clinical Center for Chronic Lung Disease on Saturday night after midnight, reports Podgorica's Vijesti portal.
Turkish Airlines halting all int’l flights except 5 routes
Turkish Airlines will ground all international flights except five routes from March 27 to April 17, the national flag carrier announced on March 22.
"As of March 27, we will suspend all our international flights except Hong Kong, Moscow, Addis Ababa, New York, and Washington, until April 17," the company's CEO Bilal Ekşi said on Twitter.
Montenegro Probes Priests for Breaking Coronavirus Rules
Krivokapic on celebration in Budva. Photo: Courtesy of IN4S website
They are suspected of breaching measures imposed to fight the coronavirus outbreak in the tiny Adriatic country. Under rules introduced on March 13, all public gatherings in the country are banned.
Montenegrin Coronavirus Patients’ Identities Exposed Online
After Montenegrin Prime Minister Dusko Markovic announced on Tuesday evening that the country had its first two coronavirus cases, the patients' identities were published by social media users.
Photos of one of the patients and her family were also posted online.
It's confirmed, new phase: Coronavirus hit the last country in Europe
"These are women, one was born in 1948 and the other in 1973, and both have been in epidemic-affected areas during the previous period," Markovic said at an extraordinary press conference.
The Coronavirus is already Across whole Europe, Montenegro Registered First Two Cases
Two first cases of the new coronavirus were reported in Montenegro, TASS reported, citing authorities. Thus, there is no longer a country in Europe in which there is no cases of the virus, the agency notes.
Prime Minister Dusko Markovic told reporters that the patients were two women, born in 1948 and 1973 respectively. He described their condition as normal.
New Travel Restrictions due to COVID-19
Latest updates on travel restrictions as of March 15, 2020 (according to Bulgaria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Albania
Kosovo Confirms First Two Coronavirus Cases
Kosovo on Friday confirmed its first two cases of coronavirus, as the authorities test more people. The announcement was made at a joint press conference of Prime Minister Albin Kurti and the Minister of Health, Arben Vitia. They said two of 15 suspected cases had tested positive for the virus. Both had arrived recently from Italy, by far the worst affected country in Europe.
Balkan Countries Close Border Crossings to Stop Coronavirus
Serbia, Albania and Romania have closed many of their border crossings in order to combat the spread of the coronavirus, leaving some parts of the Balkans practically cut off for civil traffic.
All countries of the region have either banned entry or introduced special restrictive measures for passengers arriving from countries with mid to high to risk of coronavirus.