Latest News from Serbia
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
Bulgaria with 43 Registered Cases of COVID-19, Balkans Taking Tougher Measures
Two more cases of coronavirus have been registered in Bulgaria.
One is from Pleven, the other from Sofia. The total number of patients is 43, two of them have died.
This was stated by Major General Prof. Ventsislav Mutafchiiski, Chief of the National Operations Headquarters and of the MMA.
MAE: Transit corridor to faciliate circulation of blocked transport means on various routes and borders
A transit corridor to facilitate the circulation of the transport means blocked on various routes and at various border points was shaped up following the demarches the Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE) made on diplomatic channels, in the context of the developments related to the management and prevention of COVID-19.
"I do not rule out the possibility of introducing state of emergency, but ..." VIDEO
"The state of emergency involves complete isolation, and the question is how much time you can spend in complete isolation. That is why it should always be kept to the last, but the first necessary moment", Vucic says.
He states, however, that he does not rule out the possibility of introducing a state of emergency and adds that he knows what that means.
Epidemiologist: By no means closing schools for two weeks VIDEO
Kon said that he will resign in case the schools in Serbia close, for example, for two weeks.
Kon told TV Prva that he "thinks the decision (to close the schools) has already been made" and that the rise in the number of people infected in Serbia is still expected.
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.
Tight-Lipped Balkan Governments Scramble to Defend Against COVID-19
"It's confidential," Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic told a press conference on Thursday when asked how many ventilators the country has.
"At this moment, this is treated practically as a state secret in all countries," Brnabic said, but assured reporters that "Serbia has enough ventilators."
Government reached decision: Schools won't be closed; Experts: Did it work in Italy?
"The president insisted that we consider this decision once again. I made that proposal - my opinion is that we should do it.
The profession's view is that there is no professional justification or professional basis for closing schools, kindergartens and colleges. At this point, it would be counterproductive", she states.
Ban decision revised: Air Serbia flies to Zurich again
However, on the evening of March 12, the Serbian national airline returned two canceled flights to Zurich on the flight schedule, the flights were JU 370 and JU 374. In all likelihood, those flights will operate and are scheduled for tomorrow, March 14.
New government measure introduced: Visits to nursing homes strictly forbidden
"Senior citizens, according to the profession, fall into the category of the most vulnerable group when it comes to coronavirus infection. The ban on visits is a preventative measure to protect them, and therefore I ask the population, families and friends of our beneficiaries to have understanding of the whole situation", minister of labor Zoran Djordjevic said.
B92.net exclusively learns: Video call instead of meeting of Vucic and Merkel
The meeting was supposed to be held this weekend in Berlin, but it will be canceled, more precisely the form of the meeting will be changed.
As we exclusively learn, Vucic and Merkel agreed to hold a video conference instead of meeting.
Brnabic - Sarcevic meeting held: We are testing a case of school closure
She told TV Pink that she had a meeting with Education Minister Mladen Sarcevic and his team early this morning to discuss testing the distance learning system and remove any interference.
Trump will get rid of Kurti?
If Washington's threats of denying economic aid and withdrawing US troops from Kosovo and Metohija do not discipline the prime minister of interim Pristina institutions, Albin Kurti, and in case he does not suspend tariffs, it is not excluded that the United States will pull another trump card - a change of government in Pristina.
"10% pay raise for medical workers, two crisis groups; 1008 respirators" VIDEO
He said the increase comes in line with the pressure healthcare professionals are facing.
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COVID-19 impact expected to be negative on commercial real estate market short term (consultants)
The impact of COVID-19 will be negative in the short term on certain sectors of the commercial real estate market in Europe, provided that the outbreak gets under control within a reasonable time, says Anthony Selman, CBRE Head of Investment Properties Central and Eastern Europe.