In a recent announcement, Montenegro’s Prime Minister Dusko Markovic declared the country free of the coronavirus, making it the first country in Europe to do so. It has been 20 days since the Balkan country has reported any new case of the virus.
Montenegro Is Now Europe’s First Coronavirus-Free State
Addressing a news conference, Prime Minister Dusko Markovic announced that the battle against the vicious virus had been won, making Montenegro the first coronavirus-free country in Europe. In a symbolic move, the PM even removed his mask before addressing the media.
This announcement by the PM came a day after the Institute of Public Health of Montenegro reported that 68 days after the first COVID-19 case was recorded, Montenegro had no new cases of the virus.
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Montenegro Has Taken Strict Measures To Control the Spread Of COVID-19
Montenegro, with a population of 6,20,000 people, has reported a total of 324 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 9 deaths. However, the country has taken strict measures to control the spread of the virus.
Reportedly, when the first case of the coronavirus was reported in early March, the country was swift enough to close its borders, airports and seaports. The country also shut schools, banned public gatherings and outdoor activities to curb the spread of the virus.
The country even went to the extent of making public the names and addresses of people in self-isolation. While this move drew widespread criticism, it kept the entire municipality in lockdown for weeks. Montenegrin authorities even fined hundreds of people over failure to comply with restrictions.
While these restrictions have been gradually eased since March 30, the PM has now announced that the country would soon be opening its borders to travelers from countries reporting no more than 25 cases of infection per 100,000 people. These countries include the countries of Croatia, Albania, Slovenia, Germany and Greece.
For those unfamiliar with Montenegro, the country is situated in Southeast Europe on the coast of the Balkans. Filled with a tumultuous history, the country became a sovereign country only in 2006. It is known for its rugged mountains and hosts part of the Tara River Canyon, which is Europe’s biggest canyon.
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