Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina are starting today to set up the first tent quarantines from the border crossing in Gradiska and then at other crossings, Srna news agency has learned.
The construction of tent quarantines is one of the conclusions of the extraordinary session of the Bosnian Presidency, held on March 16th. The Council of Ministers of BiH immediately decided on Tuesday to declare the state of natural or other disasters in the territory of BiH, when it was announced that the construction of tent quarantines would be done together with the Armed Forces of BiH.
Council of Ministers Chairman Zoran Tegeltija stressed that staying in tent quarantines will be in line with the recommendations of the World Health Organization, which will be taken care of by representatives of the Ministries of Health and Civil Protection.
The Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina held its 58th extraordinary session on Wednesday and adopted a Decision on the engagement of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina for the purpose of assisting civilian authorities in preventing the spread of (COVID – 19) in special facilities (tents) to accommodate persons coming to Bosnia and Herzegovina from abroad, Vijesti.ba news portal reports.
The Minister of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina will, by his order, determine the necessary personal and non-combat material resources. The Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina for the implementation of activities under the decision of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
During the implementation of the tasks under this Decision, the BiH Armed Forces will establish full cooperation and coordination with the competent civilian authorities at all levels of government in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The authorization to engage the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina shall be valid for 30 days and the decision of the BiH Presidency shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.
“The current situation in the fight against the spread of coronavirus primarily requires the engagement of the health system in BiH, while the engagement of the Armed Forces BiH will be defined by special decisions of the Bosnian Presidency, at the request of the competent institutions. So far, the Bosnian Presidency has not made a decision on the use of the Armed Forces of BiH resources,” the statement reads.
The Ministry of Defense of BiH points out that the AF BiH will put at disposal all of its capacities.
“The engagement of the Bosnian Armed Forces would entail the setting up and maintenance of tent checkpoints at border crossings and other planned locations. We are currently preparing the personnel, material and technical means for setting up the tents at specific locations, which needs to be approved by the Bosnian Presidency as the Commander-in-Chief through a special request,” it is stated in a press release.