Prime Minister of the Republic of Srpska Radovan Višković stated today following the meeting of highest officials with regard to the epidemiological situation related to  the coronavirus that the decision was made to close all primary and secondary schools and higher education institutions in Republic of Srpska for the next for 21 days.

Prime Minister Viskovic stressed that it was concluded that all public gatherings throughout the same period will be banned and that the institutions of the Republic of Srpska should contact the Council of Ministers and the Border Police and request more strict control of entries of foreigners coming from countries affected by the coronavirus disease.

It was also concluded that all health care institutions should draw up a contingency plan in emergency situations, establish communication with the World Health Organization and certain embassies in order to provide assistance and support.

"We are doing our best to act ahead of the problems, not solve them once they happen", the Prime Minister stressed and added that sports events and competitions would be held without spectators and concerts, theater shows and other gatherings would be banned, too.

"We have seen from experience of others that it is very difficult to deal with the consequences, because they are difficult. One European country is completely in the quarantine", Prrime Minister Višković said and referred to the fact Serbia has taken similar measures and that the leadership of the Republic of Srpska decided to take those measures to protect primarily the youngest population.

The Prime Minister said that the recommendation of the health professionals was that children should stay in their homes and minimize going out in order to minimize the possibility of transmission of the virus. For the time being the recommendation is not to close kindergartens but to monitor the situation closely in conjunction with the Institute of Public Health. If needed the preschool institutions will be closed also.

Prime Minister Višković further said that the Government would demand to improve the control of people coming in the country at the borders especially those that come from the countries and areas where cases of coronavirus have already been confirmed.

"Those people must report to health care institutions and spend some time in the quarantine. We will also increase, through the Ministry of the Interior and other institutions and inspections, the measures to ensure that people respect decisions of relevent health services”, the Prime Minister emphasized.

The Prime Minsietr said it has been concluded to continue contacts with the WHO.

"The Chinese Ambassador has offered help and we will also contact the Russian Ambassador to ask for assistance", Prime Minister Višković said.

The Prime Minister particularly underlined that the conclusions made were aimed to protect the citizens from the epidemic of the COVID-19 virus, that the situation in Republic Srpska was not dramatic and that all measures taken by the institutions were preventive.

"We urge citizens to follow the instructions of the Ministry of Health, Institute of Public Health and health institutions. There are no new confirmed cases. This is not a dramatic situation that should cause panic and we are taking all these measures for preventive reasons. Based on the experience of other countries especially Italy, we could see how the virus could spread due to irresponsible behavior of citizens. In this way we are trying to suppress the spread of the virus in Republic of Srpska", Prime Minister Višković explained.

In attendanec of the meeting was the President of the Republic of Srpska Željka Cvijanović, Serb Member of BiH Presidency Milorad Dodik and the Minister of Health  Alen Šeranić.