What is COVID-19 and how to prevent it's spreading

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new strain of virus, with symptoms which include

fever, chills, a dry cough and shortness of breath. In addition, any of the following symptoms may also be present: a sore throat, muscle pain, a runny nose and fatigue.

To avoid the spread of the virus, make sure you:

• Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds using soap and warm water. Use hand sanitiser if you do not have access to water.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue (not your hands) when sneezing or coughing.
• Clean and disinfect regularly touched objects and surfaces to reduce the risk of spreading germs.
• Avoid large gatherings and crowded places.
• Avoid inessential travel, including non-essential use of public transport.

In case you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above, especially:

- if you are experiencing a fever with a temperature of 38°C or above, as well as a rapid onset of cough or shortness of breath

- if you have been in close contact in the 14 days prior to the onset of symptoms with someone confirmed to have or suspected of having COVID-19 infection, or traveled to to the places with a high risk, you should immediately contact your nearest ambulance.

Who to call if you have COVID-19 symptoms

During the pandemic, citizens of Sarajevo Canton can call the unique number of the Public Health Center: 081 920 333. The number is active from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm.

After 10 pm, patients are diverted by automatic voice message to the Psychological and Health Counseling phone numbers, working daily for 24 hours.

Their numbers are 033 704 824 and 033 704 826 (Psychological Counseling Center) and 033 704 828 and 033 704 829 (Health Counseling Center.

here is a list of contact numbers of epidemiological services in different Sarajevo municipalities:

Municipality:

Stari Grad: 033 278-624 / 060 328 04 54

Centar: 060 328 02 17

Novo Sarajevo: 061 165 219

Novi Grad: 033 704 937 / 062 274 217

Ilidža: 062 842 265 / 033 625 859

Hadžići: 033 580 360 / 033 421 247 / 060 353 03 04

Vogošća: 033 432 518

Ilijaš: 033 584 350 / 033 584 352

Trnovo: 033 439 047

Public Health Center of the Sarajevo Canton: 062 842 318

If you have any of the above symptoms or are concerned that you have been exposed to Covid-19 virus, do not go to ER or a hospital but call the number relevant to the municipality in which you are residing. Hotel visitors should check with the hotel for the relevant number.  

The BiH Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that an emergency contact telephone number and email address are available to all BiH citizens at home and abroad, as well as to foreigners residing in BiH, in connection with the coronary virus pandemic.

In case of any questions, citizens can call +387 33 281 309 or send an e-mail to emergency@mvp.gov.ba.

Traveling during COVID-19

In response to the current coronavirus outbreak, the BiH government has advised against all inessential travel, at this moment.

As many countries, Bosnia have travel restrictions in place and international visitors should check their own government's guidelines for advice before any essential travel.

BiH Council of Ministers' decision bans foreigners from countries with intense virus coronary transmission, including: China (Wuhan province), South Korea, Japan, Italy, Iran, France, Romania, Germany, Austria, Spain, Switzerland and Belgium.

As of March 16, all BiH citizens who arrive from abroad will go to isolation for 14 days.

Flights to Sarajevo International Airport and international bus lines

All visitors should check plans before traveling, as from Monday, 30 March 2020, all passenger air traffic in Bosnia and Herzegovina was temporarily suspended as one of the prevention measures in the fight against Covid19.

In addition to Sarajevo International Airport, which suspended all passenger flights until June 1, 2020, passenger air traffic was also suspended in airports in Banja Luka, Mostar and Tuzla.

All airports will remain open for humanitarian flights and cargo traffic.

All passengers who have already purchased tickets can contact the airlines to exercise their rights.

Passenger air traffic is expected to be normalized upon the end of the fight with Covid19.

As for flights into and out of the Sarajevo International Airport, these companies have stopped offering the following services until further notice at following order:

• Austrian Airlines canceled all flights from Vienna to Sarajevo and vice versa from March 19.
• Croatia Airlines canceled all morning and night flights to and from Zagreb.
• Germany's Lufthansa suspends flights from Munich to Sarajevo and vice versa from March 29.
• WizzAir canceled all flights to and from Tuzla International Airport until April 5.
• FlyBosnia has temporarily suspended all flights to and from Rome.
• Aegean Airlines suspended all planned flights between Athens and Sarajevo in the summer flight schedule.
• Qatar Airway suspended all flights between Doha and Sarajevo from March 21 until October 25.
• Turkish Airlines suspended all flights between Istanbul and Sarajevo from March 27 until further notice.

Centrotrans Eurolines company also suspended all international bus lines from March 16.

In case of necessary travel contact the embassies or consulates of the countries you intend to travel to or the airline you intend to fly with.

You can find the contacts of the foreign embassies and consulates in our country at the following link.

Airlines' contacts are at the following link: https://www.sia.ba/Page/Aviokompanije

Procedure at the airport

The Federal Office of Inspection has put in place a thermal camera that allows the detection of high-temperature passengers.

In cooperation with the airport staff, space was provided for temporary isolation of persons with fever until the arrival of epidemiologists and doctors.

All passengers arriving at the airport will be served with a 14-days isolation decision.

Current situation in Sarajevo

The Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina has declared a state of emergency in the country effective March 17 until further notice.

All curfews for children and seniors are lifted in Federation BiH, and all businesses whose work was banned during the COVID 19 pandemic to resume work, once again, from May 15.

Public transport is in function again and fitness centers, cinemas, libraries, museums, galleries,  Zoo Pioneer Valley, sports and recreation centers, concert halls, restaurants, hairdressers are also opened.

Adequate measures must be observed at all times including mandatory wearing of medical masks, cotton straps or scarves over the mouth and nose, as well as maintaining a distance of at least one and a half meters between two people.

Anyone who violates the prohibition of movement risks being fined 500 KM.

Supermarkets, grocery stores and bakeries are also open, as well as pharmacies and gas stations. The working hours of the mentioned has not been amended. The customers are to remain at least 1.5 meters from each other and follow all other hygienic and epidemiological measures.