Podgorica

The town centre in Tuzi. Photo: BIRN/Samir Kajosevic

Since Montenegro banned public gatherings on March 18, only priests and clerics can enter and pray in churches and mosques until the epidemic is over.

The centre of the Montenegrin capital Podgorica was empty and quiet as the first night of a nocturnal curfew intended to help curb the spread of the cornavirus began on Tuesday evening.

Montenegro's nocturnal curfew began at 7pm on Tuesday evening, with only police officers visible on the normally crowded streets of central Podgorica.

Medical workers in Montenegrin clinical centre. Photo: BIRN/Samir Kajosevic

Boban Mugosa denied the numbers - 237 medical workers self-isolating and 10 infected - were due to workplace exposure to COVID-19 or a lack of equipment, but because of "contacts at home."

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ahead of the start of talks between the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Montenegrin government on Wednesday, the church called on the authorities to halt the implementation of the law on religion, which it strongly opposes.

Women in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Romania, North Macedonia, Serbia, Kosovo, Bulgaria and Croatia staged rallies on International Women's Day, opposing violence and discrimination and demanding better rights and more equal treatment.

In the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo, the CURE (GIRLS) Foundation celebrated with an activist stroll, under the slogan "Bully, on your way!"

Nik Gjeloshaj Photo: Courtesy of Nik Gjeljoshaj

The territory claimed by both Tuzi and Podgorica includes the largest waste landfill site in Montenegro, a livestock market and part of the vineyards belonging to Plantaze, the largest wine company in Montenegro.

Representatives of Tuzi believe that their municipality should collect taxes from these businesses.