Bosnia's branch of the global steel producer ArcelorMittal has quarantined its 300 maintenance workers in the central town of Zenica after an employee unveiled her husband contracted the novel coronavirus, the company's trade union leader Zuhdija Kapetanovic confirmed to Fena news agency.

The company isolated its workers as a precautionary measure.

“As far as I know, the woman's sister arrived from abroad and she (the worker) has stayed home for 14 days. However, she didn't tell us that her husband was tested and the result that came from Sarajevo showed he was positive. If only she had waited a day or two before she returned to work, none of this would have happened,” said Kapetanovic.

Although none of them showed symptoms, three hundred of her co-workers were sent home and will self-isolate for two weeks, he added.

“This is a huge problem but we will try to reorganise the workload to overcome the situation,” said Kapetanovic.

According to official data, of 497 tested residents of Zenica-Doboj Canton (ZDK) by April 13, 60 were positive for the coronavirus.