What's the government response timeline for Bosnia and Herzegovina?

Ministry of Health has a public information site, with the first report published on January 31st. https://covid19.fmoh.gov.ba/

'Three Chinese citizens were admitted to the Sarajevo University Medical Centre and are being tested for the coronavirus, the head of the Centre, Sebija Izetbegovic, said at a press conference on Tuesday [25th February]'. https://balkaneu.com/several-suspicious-but-not-confirmed-cases-of-coronavirus-in-bih/

The Federation of BiH will cover minimal salary contributions to all employees in the real sector (from March until one month after the end of the state of emergency) https://www.oecd.org/south-east-europe/COVID-19-Crisis-in-Bosnia-and-Herzegovina.pdf

in the Republika Srpska, in addition to the full salary contributions (March) and minimal salary contributions (April for now), the taxes will also be covered by the government for those subjects who are the most affected by the crisis (merchants, caterers, small entrepreneurs). The Council of Ministers introduced a tax exemption on equipment and resources (e.g. protection medical gear, respirators) granted by both domestic and international entities for the needs of prevention, containing and termination of the epidemics caused by COVID-19. https://www.oecd.org/south-east-europe/COVID-19-Crisis-in-Bosnia-and-Herzegovina.pdf

'The health minister of Bosnia’s Serb-led entity has confirmed the first two coronavirus cases in the country – one for a man who works in Italy and the other for his child. Both tested positive for Covid-19 virus, the Republika Srpska Health Minister Alen Seranic said in Banja Luka on Thursday. The minister said the man was hospitalized at the University Clinic in Banja Luka after he reported himself to the hospital with symptoms of the disease.' https://balkaninsight.com/2020/03/05/bosnia-confirms-two-coronavirus-cases-expects-more/

The Federation issued instruction recommending that all public events are either cancelled or postponed, to prevent a potential virus spread. http://ba.n1info.com/English/NEWS/a415291/Bosnia-bans-entry-for-foreigners-from-countries-severely-affected-by-COVID-19.html

Sarajevo restricts public gatherings to no more than 300 people http://archive.fo/wip/4aMja

Ban entry of foreign travellers coming from "at-risk areas" Source: https://www.garda.com/crisis24/news-alerts/321431/bosnia-herzegovina-new-entry-restrictions-for-travelers-due-to-coronavirus-march-10-update-1

Closure of all schools by the government of Bosnia and Herzegovina https://www.euractiv.com/section/coronavirus/short_news/update-bih-covid-19/

Companies are adviced to promote working from home, adapt stricter hygiene practises, cancel travels and meetings, allow parents of children below 10 time off-work, reorganize work https://data.humdata.org/dataset/acaps-covid19-government-measures-dataset

Nationwide State of Emergency declared https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-bosnia/bosnian-region-declares-state-of-disaster-over-coronavirus-idUSKBN21323A

Employers are obliged: to enable remote work or all employees whose work can be done from home; a separate decision on remote work has to be issued to each employee; all employees working from home must be recorded; where remote work is not possible, work should be, if possible, organized in shifts, and employer must provide protective equipment; enable business meetings to be held electronically (video link, video call, etc); postpone official travel in the country and abroad; Source: https://bdkadvokati.com/covid-19-update-serbia-montenegro-bosnia-and-herzegovina-2/

Suspension of cultural and sports events, including trainings. https://bdkadvokati.com/covid-19-update-serbia-montenegro-bosnia-and-herzegovina-2/ The federal government cancelled all public events. https://covid-19.ba/files/4adacf8134574d1d61c7aae965f4b0bb.pdf

Night public transport is banned, daily public transport reduced - targeted refers to 'curtailment of specifically targeted public transport' as opposed to regional targeting. https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=f2e594b3-0ca3-45ec-a9dc-30c5feec54ff Source: https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=f2e594b3-0ca3-45ec-a9dc-30c5feec54ff

The federal government cancelled all public events. https://covid-19.ba/files/4adacf8134574d1d61c7aae965f4b0bb.pdf

Under 18 and over 65 yrs banned from movement within BIH https://archive.vn/wip/nF8Nh

Under 18 and over 65 yrs banned from movement within BIH https://archive.vn/wip/nF8Nh

Public transport banned in certain areas of the country. https://bdkadvokati.com/covid-19-update-6-serbia-montenegro-bosnia-and-herzegovina/

Those under the age of 18, and over 65 yrs are banned from movement within BIH, and a curfew was imposed for all residents of BIH from March 22 on wards https://archive.vn/wip/EPHjs

Those under the age of 18, and over 65 yrs are banned from movement within BIH, and a curfew was imposed for all residents of BIH from March 22 onwards https://archive.vn/wip/EPHjs

As of March 24, 2020, foreign nationals are no longer able to enter BiH unless they are residents of BiH. BiH citizens who return may face quarantine or self-isolation. https://ba.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

Schools remain closed https://ba.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

Sarajevo airport will close to all passenger traffic at 0600 on March 30, 2020. Other airports in the country are already closed. https://ba.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

Ban on public transport without special permit from the Ministry of Transport. https://bdkadvokati.com/covid-19-update-26-serbia-montenegro-bosnia-and-herzegovina/

According to guidelines of Ministry of Health , people having serious symptoms can consult doctor and tested https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2020-04-07/epidemiologists-covid-19-death-raises-concern-in-bosnia

Cancellation of all public events extended until at least 30 April. https://covid-19.ba/files/9c92136145cd3b362475b869b1322852.pdf

The curfew has been lifted, and Those over 65yr are now allowed out on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 900-1300hr, while Under 18s are allowed out on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 1400-2000hrs. https://www.worldaware.com/covid-19-alert-bosnia-and-herzegovina-eases-restrictions-lifts-curfew-april-24 https://archive.vn/wip/C73dR

The curfew has been lifted, and Those over 65yr are now allowed out on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 900-1300hr, while Under 18s are allowed out on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 1400-2000hrs. https://www.worldaware.com/covid-19-alert-bosnia-and-herzegovina-eases-restrictions-lifts-curfew-april-24 https://archive.vn/wip/C73dR

Changes in the work hours were introduced to protect the medical staff, e.g. the shifts are fewer and longer, with smaller number of personnel working at the same time. Medical staff in the RS will receive an April salary increased by a compensation of BAM 1 000 (around EUR 500). https://www.oecd.org/south-east-europe/COVID-19-Crisis-in-Bosnia-and-Herzegovina.pdf

The Council of Ministers introduced a tax exemption on equipment and resources (e.g. protection medical gear, respirators) granted by both domestic and international entities for the needs of prevention, containing and termination of the epidemics caused by COVID-19. https://www.oecd.org/south-east-europe/COVID-19-Crisis-in-Bosnia-and-Herzegovina.pdf

Banking Agencies have announced a six-month loan repayment moratorium for restructuring credit arrangements for individuals and legal entities which are found to have aggravated circumstances for loans repayments due to COVID-19. Banking Agencies have instructed banks to track clients and exposure portfolios affected by COVID-19. ? Banks are also instructed to consider additional customer relief, including reviewing current fees for services and avoiding charging fees to handle exposure modifications. All banks were ordered not to pay dividends or bonuses. https://www.oecd.org/south-east-europe/COVID-19-Crisis-in-Bosnia-and-Herzegovina.pdf

Support to private sector activity and employment: Businesses in FBiH are entitled to subsidies in the amount of BAM 245 (~EUR 120) per month, per employee. The obligation to make advanced payments on corporate income tax for businesses and self-employers is abolished. Lease amounts are decreased by 50% for business premises managed by the FBiH Office of Joint Affairs. Corporate income tax liabilities in RS are postponed until 30 June. All borrowers from the Investment and Development Bank of RS are granted three month repayment moratorium. Deadlines for filing tax returns and salary specifications have been extended to 30 April 2020 in both entities. https://www.oecd.org/south-east-europe/COVID-19-Crisis-in-Bosnia-and-Herzegovina.pdf

Public events remain cancelled https://ba.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

Curfew reinstated in most of the country form 1 until 4 May + The Republika Srpska Crisis HQ has regularly instituted bans on civilian travel between towns on the weekends. https://ba.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

Schools still closed http://archive.fo/wip/3TOHU

http://archive.fo/wip/3TOHU Still reccommend all who can work from home to do so.

All public events still cancelled and banned. http://archive.fo/wip/3TOHU

Restriction on outdoor gatherings to no more than 3 people http://archive.fo/wip/3TOHU

Public transit remains closed, due to re-open on May 11 (unless this is extended). http://archive.fo/wip/3TOHU

With curfews still in place for U18s and over 65, others are still requested to only conduct necessary/essential business and errands outside of the home http://archive.fo/wip/3TOHU

Srpska remains under curfew from 2200 to 0500 daily http://archive.fo/wip/3TOHU

The international restrictions remains closed to non BIH residents, with imposed quarantine also. http://archive.fo/wip/3TOHU

According to OECD, there was a gradual reopening of various sectors in the Republika Srpska - cafes, restaurants, kindergartens, hair salons, gyms and private dental clinics private dental clinics http://www.oecd.org/south-east-europe/COVID-19-Crisis-in-Bosnia-and-Herzegovina.pdf

According to the Xinhuanet website and the OECD, public transport was allowed to resume in Republika Srpska; http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-05/11/c_139048013.htm http://www.oecd.org/south-east-europe/COVID-19-Crisis-in-Bosnia-and-Herzegovina.pdf

I am unsure as to whether this should be a 3 or 4 - it has been marked as previously but the borders are closed to everyone except nationals until 1st June, so I interpret that as 4 (if that is the case then the previous codes back to at least 1st May should be changed to 4 as well). Information is from the UK government website and Worldaware.com: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/bosnia-and-herzegovina https://www.worldaware.com/covid-19-alert-bosnia-and-herzegovina-extends-flight-suspension-nonresident-entry-ban-until-june-1

According to Xinhuanet, restaurants, bars, small shops, business and trades have been reopened in Federation of BiH (FBiH). http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-05/14/c_139054432.htm

According to the OECD, FBiH decided to abolish the curfew and allow movement of all citizens. https://www.oecd.org/south-east-europe/COVID-19-Crisis-in-Bosnia-and-Herzegovina.pdf There is still curfew in the Republika Srpska

According to OECD, in the FBiH the public transportation became operational again, meaning that public transport is now running across the whole country. https://www.oecd.org/south-east-europe/COVID-19-Crisis-in-Bosnia-and-Herzegovina.pdf

According to the US Dept of State Overseas Security Advisory Council webpage and , from today the Republika Srpska maintains its overnight curfew (2200-0500) but has removed. movement restrictions for those over 65. https://www.osac.gov/Content/Report/3aa2fd97-8f36-47c5-8441-18b09385bdc3

According to the N1 news channel, The state of emergency has been revoked in the Republika of Srpska as of today, meaning that curfew has been lifted. Also mentioned on the Government of Republic of Srpska website http://ba.n1info.com/English/NEWS/a435523/Bosnia-Serb-entity-abolishes-state-of-emergency-and-curfew.html http://www.vladars.net/eng/vlada/prime_minister/media/news/Pages/Press-release-following-the-38th-session-of-the-HQ-for-Emergency-Situation-.aspx

OECD: "School closures: Schools and universities have been closed. Kindergartens have reopened in the RS on 11 May and on 18 May for the majority of cantons in the FBiH. Schools remain closed until the end of the school year in both entities." https://www.oecd.org/south-east-europe/COVID-19-Crisis-in-Bosnia-and-Herzegovina.pdf

"o On 29 April, the FBiH announced that from 1 to 30 May, the wholesale and retail stores as well as small craft shops will be reopened provided that they operate outside of shopping centers. On 28 May, the FBiH reopened all shopping centers. In the RS, the Government introduced similar measures on 27 April, although the shops worked with reduced working hours. These measures also comprised the stores that are part of the shopping centers, green (from 7 AM to 3 PM) and cattle markets (from 6 AM to 1 PM). With the abolishment of the State of Emergency, working hours returned to normal. Wearing masks and social distancing (a minimum of 2 metres) are mandatory in all public places for both entities. o On 11 May, the RS reopened cafes, restaurants, kindergartens, hair salons, gyms and private dental clinics. The FBiH introduced similar measures on 13 May. " https://www.oecd.org/south-east-europe/COVID-19-Crisis-in-Bosnia-and-Herzegovina.pdf

US Embassy: "K-12 educational institutions are still closed, public events remain cancelled, and spots for public gatherings face limitations on total number of people present."

" Public gatherings of more than 50 persons are still banned in the RS. On 14 May, the FBiH allowed indoor public gatherings provided that 10m2 per person was ensured and all the hygienic measures were respected" https://www.oecd.org/south-east-europe/COVID-19-Crisis-in-Bosnia-and-Herzegovina.pdf

"However, on 24 April, the FBiH decided to abolish the curfew and a couple of weeks later (on 14 May) allowed movement of all citizens. RS lifted the curfew on 22 May and allowed everybody to move freely. " https://www.oecd.org/south-east-europe/COVID-19-Crisis-in-Bosnia-and-Herzegovina.pdf

I believe that C7 has been interpreted wrong by previous coders. This is meant to "Record restrictions on internal movement between cities/regions" I could not find any restriction of movement between RS and FBIH, but at the same time, there appears no public transportation running between the two entities. https://www.oecd.org/south-east-europe/COVID-19-Crisis-in-Bosnia-and-Herzegovina.pdf

No change https://www.oecd.org/south-east-europe/COVID-19-Crisis-in-Bosnia-and-Herzegovina.pdf

According to Sarajevo Times 1st June ,2020, "Bosnia and Herzegovina will open its borders to citizens of neighboring Serbia, Montenegro and Croatia from June 1st. This was announced at press conference by the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of BiH, Zoran TegeltijaOn the same day, outgoing flights to Antalya, Riyadh, Jeddah and Kuwait are planned, and from the next day to Doha, Muscat, Budapest, Belgrade t was agreed that passengers at the airport will be obliged to respect the physical distance and wear gloves, as well as properly dispose of waste and disinfect their hands. Control staff will also be deployed at critical airport locations. Link http://www.sarajevotimes.com/bosnia-and-herzegovina-opens-borders-to-neighbouring-countries/

Indoor gatherings of up to 100 and outdoor gatherings and outdoor gatherings of up to 300 people are allowed. Note:Outdoor gathering limit is 300 so put range of 100-1000 .In review it is found correct then policy starts from 1st June. LinK https://www.worldaware.com/covid-19-alert-bosnia-and-herzegovina-reopen-airports-land-border-crossings-june-1

No new policy identified.So previous policy is assumed to be continued.

No new policy identified.So previous policy is assumed to be continued.

No new policy identified during this period.

Schools and universities have been closed. Kindergartens have reopened in the RS on 11 May and on 18 May for the majority of cantons in the FBiH. Schools remain closeduntil the end of the school year in both entities. On 12 June, the RS marked the end of a successful school year. Link: https://www.oecd.org/south-east-europe/COVID-19-Crisis-in-Bosnia-and-Herzegovina.pdf

Still current https://en.unesco.org/covid19/educationresponse

"Restaurant and cafes throughout the country are open, along with most other businesses. There are still social distance restrictions in place. Grocery stores and pharmacies are open, and masks are required indoors." https://www.imf.org/en/Topics/imf-and-covid19/Policy-Responses-to-COVID-19

Still current https://www.imf.org/en/Topics/imf-and-covid19/Policy-Responses-to-COVID-19

Still current https://www.imf.org/en/Topics/imf-and-covid19/Policy-Responses-to-COVID-19

No new policy found, still current https://www.imf.org/en/Topics/imf-and-covid19/Policy-Responses-to-COVID-19

Still current https://www.imf.org/en/Topics/imf-and-covid19/Policy-Responses-to-COVID-19

No new policy found

"There is still an entry ban for most non-resident foreign nationals, though some with special circumstances (e.g. For a business meeting, to a funeral, for medical treatment, or in the company of a BiH-citizen spouse) may enter. Special documentation and/or a negative COVID test may be required." https://ba.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

No current policy found for July https://www.imf.org/en/Topics/imf-and-covid19/Policy-Responses-to-COVID-19

"The Republika Srpska (RS) announced the health fund will cover health care costs for all patients and has postponed payments for business tax from end-March to end-June, while speeding up tax and SSC refunds" Policies appear to have ended in June; no new policies found https://www.imf.org/en/Topics/imf-and-covid19/Policy-Responses-to-COVID-19

Still current

Still current

Still current

No new policy identified.

"Restaurant and cafes throughout the country are open, along with most other businesses. There are still social distance restrictions in place. Grocery stores and pharmacies are open, and masks are required indoors." https://ba.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

"Most public events remain cancelled and public gatherings face limitations on total number of people present." https://ba.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

No policy change

The order is obligatory to wear protective masks indoors with respect to a distance of at least 1 meter, as well as in open space, if it is not possible to maintain a physical distance of 2 meters between people in the open. Due to the aggravated epidemic situation of COVID-19, the new order "allows the gathering of people in a certain area under the following conditions: no more than 50 people indoors and no more than 100 people in the open." https://covid19.fmoh.gov.ba/novost/209/krizni-stab-stozer-fmz-okupljanja-ogranicena-na-50-ljudi-u-zatvorenom-i-100-na-otvorenom-prostoru-rad-ugostiteljskih-objekata-ne-duze-od-23-sata It is unclear if there is a policy change in Republika Srpska, the other entity comprising BiH.

Starting July 16, BiH borders are open for citizens and residents of EU and Schengen countries with a negative PCR test not older than 48 hours (this does not apply to Croatian citizens). For other non-resident foreign nationals, there is still an entry ban, though some with special circumstances (e.g. For a business meeting, to a funeral, for medical treatment, or in the company of a BiH-citizen spouse) may enter. Special documentation and/or a negative COVID test may be required. Link https://ba.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/