Hours after Bosnia’s Serb-majority region introduced a curfew on Saturday to prevent the coronavirus from spreading, authorities in the other semi-autonomous region, the Federation (FBiH), followed suit.
As of Saturday, FBiH citizens will have to stay indoors between 6 pm and 5 am and the measure remains in force until March 30.
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The FBiH Civil Protection Headquarters introduced the curfew after FBiH Interior Minister Aljosa Campara proposed it, following a detailed security assessment which was requested by FBiH Prime Minister Fadil Novalic.
In his proposal, Camapara stated that the reason for the measure is the recent increase in the number of COVID-19 patients and the movements of the numerous migrants through populated areas during the evening hours.
Novalic also told the media on Saturday that a curfew in only one of Bosnia’s regions would not produce the necessary effect.
He said that punishments for those who violate the government bans will be much stricter as of Sunday and could include jail time.
The curfews in Bosnia's two semi-autonomous entities are only the latest in a series of measures authorities have introduced to prevent a major outbreak.
