Bosnia's Serb Presidency Chairman Milorad Dodik urged all residents of the Serb-majority Republika Srpska (RS) entity, on Tuesday, to be ready to grow their own food in case the food market closes due to coronavirus and people become unable to buy food.

This is very serious. There's no room for panic, but there is room for concern. We must turn this concern into a benefit for every individual. Food market may close tomorrow – the most important thing is to provide our farmers with all the help they need. All you living in the city who have a garden, prepare it so you can sow in it. We'll need food. We mustn't allow ourselves to have such rich soil and population without any food,” Dodik said in the north-Bosnian town of Bijeljina, where he talked to the Mayor Mico Micic regarding the current situation in the country and this town.

He said the government in this entity will continue implementing the measures against the spread the coronavirus pandemic.

“Yesterday I spoke in Serbia with their President Aleksandar Vucic about the medicines and medical equipment produced in Serbia so that we can get them easily,” Dodik noted.

Dodik also met with Mayor of Brcko District Sinisa Milic, promising that the District would get a respirator and that he will help with the transport of protective gear which the district ordered from China.

After the meeting with Micic, the Bosnian Serb leader told the reporters that the RS’ hospital capacities will be at the District's disposal in case they need help.