COVID-19 pandemic in Montenegro
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COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identi ...
in Montenegro has resulted in confirmed cases of
COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The disease quickly ...
and deaths. The first case of the disease in
Montenegro ) , image_map = Europe-Montenegro.svg , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Podgorica , coordinates = , largest_city = capital , official_languages = M ...
was confirmed on 17 March 2020, making it the last European country to register a case of SARS-CoV-2. On 24 May 2020, 68 days after the first case was recorded in Montenegro, it became the first COVID-19-free country in Europe. Within the first outbreak, indexed cases counted 9% of the total reported, 80% of cases were infected due to contact with primary cases, while the origin of infection of the other 11% of cases was not certain. The Government of Montenegro estimated that the country needs EUR 59.2 million private and international relief to address the health, social and economical impact of COVID-19. Montenegro had no active cases from 24 May until 14 June 2020, when the first imported case was reported.


Background

On 12 January 2020, the
World Health Organization The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. The WHO Constitution states its main objective as "the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of ...
(WHO) confirmed that a
novel coronavirus Novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a provisional name given to coronaviruses of medical significance before a permanent name is decided upon. Although coronaviruses are endemic in humans and infections normally mild, such as the common cold (caused by ...
was the cause of a respiratory illness in a cluster of people in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, which was reported to the WHO on 31 December 2019. The
case fatality ratio In epidemiology, case fatality rate (CFR) – or sometimes more accurately case-fatality risk – is the proportion of people diagnosed with a certain disease, who end up dying of it. Unlike a disease's mortality rate, the CFR does not take int ...
for COVID-19 has been much lower than SARS of 2003, but the transmission has been significantly greater, with a significant total death toll.


Timeline

* On 31 March 2020, the number of cases surpassed 100. * On 29 June 2020, it surpassed 500. * On 9 July 2020, it surpassed 1,000. * On 2 September 2020, it surpassed 5,000. * On 26 September 2020, it surpassed 10,000. * On 12 November 2020, it surpassed 25,000. * On 5 January 2021, it surpassed 50,000. * On 27 February 2021, it surpassed 75,000. * On 16 June 2021, it surpassed 100,000. * On 17 September 2021, it surpassed 125,000. * On 10 November 2021, it surpassed 150,000. On 31 August 2020, the number of deaths reached 100, surpassing it the next day. On 21 October 2020, it reached 250, surpassing it the next day. On 1 December 2021, it surpassed 500. On 20 January 2021, it surpassed 750. On 28 February 2021, it surpassed 1,000. On 29 March 2021, it surpassed 1,250. On 1 May 2021, it surpassed 1,500. On 12 October 2021, it reached 2,000, surpassing it the next day.


March 2020

On 17 March, Montenegro confirmed its first three cases of
COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The disease quickly ...
, a woman born in 1973, and a man born in 1963 of which two lived together in the capital city
Podgorica Podgorica (Cyrillic: Подгорица, ; lit. 'under the hill') is the capital and largest city of Montenegro. The city was formerly known as Titograd (Cyrillic: Титоград, ) between 1946 and 1992—in the period that Montenegro form ...
, the other woman, born in 1948, was from
Ulcinj Ulcinj ( cyrl, Улцињ, ; ) is a town on the southern coast of Montenegro and the capital of Ulcinj Municipality. It has an urban population of 10,707 (2011), the majority being Albanians. As one of the oldest settlements in the Adriatic co ...
. One of the first three cases had arrived 12 days earlier from the New York City United States to
Ulcinj Ulcinj ( cyrl, Улцињ, ; ) is a town on the southern coast of Montenegro and the capital of Ulcinj Municipality. It has an urban population of 10,707 (2011), the majority being Albanians. As one of the oldest settlements in the Adriatic co ...
, the other two cases had arrived in
Podgorica Podgorica (Cyrillic: Подгорица, ; lit. 'under the hill') is the capital and largest city of Montenegro. The city was formerly known as Titograd (Cyrillic: Титоград, ) between 1946 and 1992—in the period that Montenegro form ...
5 days earlier from
Barcelona Barcelona ( , , ) is a city on the coast of northeastern Spain. It is the capital and largest city of the autonomous community of Catalonia, as well as the second most populous municipality of Spain. With a population of 1.6 million within ci ...
Spain and were under medical surveillance. On 18 March, 6 more cases were confirmed, one of whom had no links to the cases confirmed on the day before. On 19 March, 2 more cases were confirmed, bringing the number of infected in the country to 10. Later that day, 3 more cases were confirmed, bringing the total to 13. On 20 March, the 14th case was identified in
Herceg Novi Herceg Novi ( cyrl, Херцег Нови, ) is a coastal town in Montenegro located at the Western entrance to the Bay of Kotor and at the foot of Mount Orjen. It is the administrative center of the Herceg Novi Municipality with around 33,000 ...
. On 21 March, 2 new cases were confirmed. On 22 March, 6 new cases were confirmed. One of these cases, a 65-year-old man who had traveled several days before from
Serbia Serbia (, ; Serbian: , , ), officially the Republic of Serbia (Serbian: , , ), is a landlocked country in Southeastern and Central Europe, situated at the crossroads of the Pannonian Basin and the Balkans. It shares land borders with Hungar ...
, died one day after hospital admission, becoming the country's first fatal case. On 23 March, 5 new cases were confirmed. On 24 March, 18 new cases were confirmed. As 15 of the new cases were recorded in
Tuzi Tuzi ( cnr, Tuzi/Тузи, ; sq, Tuz or ''Tuzi'') is a small town in Montenegro and the seat of Tuzi Municipality, Montenegro. It is located along a main road between the city of Podgorica and the Albanian border crossing, just a few kilometers ...
, the government imposed a complete lockdown on Tuzi, making Tuzi the first municipality in Montenegro to be put into complete lockdown during the pandemic with only essential services being allowed to operate. On 25 March, 6 new cases were confirmed. On 26 March, 14 new cases were confirmed. Later that day, two more cases were confirmed, while 6,258 people where under medical supervision. On 27 March (07:45), one more case was confirmed. Later that day (17:45), five more cases were confirmed, all of them in
Andrijevica Andrijevica ( Montenegrin Cyrillic: Андријевица, ) is a town and the seat of Andrijevica Municipality in eastern Montenegro. According to the 2011 census, it has a population of 1,048. History The town of Andrijevica is a relatively n ...
, while 6,278 people where under medical supervision. Later that day (21:00), 7 more cases were confirmed, 4 in
Tuzi Tuzi ( cnr, Tuzi/Тузи, ; sq, Tuz or ''Tuzi'') is a small town in Montenegro and the seat of Tuzi Municipality, Montenegro. It is located along a main road between the city of Podgorica and the Albanian border crossing, just a few kilometers ...
and 3 in
Bar Bar or BAR may refer to: Food and drink * Bar (establishment), selling alcoholic beverages * Candy bar * Chocolate bar Science and technology * Bar (river morphology), a deposit of sediment * Bar (tropical cyclone), a layer of cloud * Bar (u ...
. On 28 March, 2 new cases were confirmed, one in
Tivat Tivat (, ) is a coastal town in southwest Montenegro, located in the Bay of Kotor. , its population was 9,367. Tivat is the centre of Tivat Municipality, which is the smallest municipality by area in Montenegro. Name In Serbian and Montenegrin l ...
and one in
Podgorica Podgorica (Cyrillic: Подгорица, ; lit. 'under the hill') is the capital and largest city of Montenegro. The city was formerly known as Titograd (Cyrillic: Титоград, ) between 1946 and 1992—in the period that Montenegro form ...
. On 29 March, one new case was confirmed. On 30 March, 6 new cases were confirmed. On 31 March, 18 new cases were confirmed.


April 2020

On 1 April, 14 new cases were confirmed. On 2 April, 17 new cases were confirmed. On 3 April, the first recovery was reported, a 46-year-old man from Bar.


May 2020

On 24 May, 68 days after the first case was recorded, Montenegro became the first COVID-19-free country in Europe.


June 2020

On 14 June, the first new case in the country was reported since 4 May. However, this is also the first reported imported case, as a person from Bosnia and Herzegovina, who was put in self-isolation, was tested positive. On 15 June, another imported case was reported in the country - this one also from Bosnia and Herzegovina and is currently located in Budva. As of 15 June, there are two active cases in Montenegro.


July 2020


August 2020


Autumn 2020

On 7 October 2020, the nation's most prominent cleric
Amfilohije Radović Amfilohije ( sr-Cyrl, Амфилохије; , English: Amphilochius; born Risto Radović, 7 January 193830 October 2020) was a bishop of the Serbian Orthodox Church, theologian, university professor, author and translator. He was first the bishop ...
, the Serbian Orthodox metropolitan bishop of Montenegro and the Littoral, tested positive for
COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The disease quickly ...
. He died on 30 October 2020 in
Podgorica Podgorica (Cyrillic: Подгорица, ; lit. 'under the hill') is the capital and largest city of Montenegro. The city was formerly known as Titograd (Cyrillic: Титоград, ) between 1946 and 1992—in the period that Montenegro form ...
at the age of 82. Despite the Montenegrin government's bans on mass public gatherings due to the spread of COVID-19 virus, in front of the Podgorica Cathedral, there were thousands of believers present, as well as heads of the Orthodox Church in
Serbia Serbia (, ; Serbian: , , ), officially the Republic of Serbia (Serbian: , , ), is a landlocked country in Southeastern and Central Europe, situated at the crossroads of the Pannonian Basin and the Balkans. It shares land borders with Hungar ...
,
Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina ( sh, / , ), abbreviated BiH () or B&H, sometimes called Bosnia–Herzegovina and often known informally as Bosnia, is a country at the crossroads of south and southeast Europe, located in the Balkans. Bosnia and H ...
,
Greece Greece,, or , romanized: ', officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the southern tip of the Balkans, and is located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Greece shares land borders ...
,
Ukraine Ukraine ( uk, Україна, Ukraïna, ) is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which it borders to the east and northeast. Ukraine covers approximately . Prior to the ongoing Russian inv ...
and
Albania Albania ( ; sq, Shqipëri or ), or , also or . officially the Republic of Albania ( sq, Republika e Shqipërisë), is a country in Southeastern Europe. It is located on the Adriatic and Ionian Seas within the Mediterranean Sea and shares ...
, Roman Catholic
Archdiocese of Bar The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bar ( cnr, Барска надбискупија, Barska nadbiskupija; sq, Kryepeshkopata Katolike Romake e Tivarit; la, Archidioecesis Antibarensis) is a diocese of the Catholic Church in Montenegro.
and Islamic communities in Montenegro and
Serbia Serbia (, ; Serbian: , , ), officially the Republic of Serbia (Serbian: , , ), is a landlocked country in Southeastern and Central Europe, situated at the crossroads of the Pannonian Basin and the Balkans. It shares land borders with Hungar ...
, the funeral was also attended by a large number of political leaders from Montenegro and neighboring countries. Speeches at the funeral were given by Bishop Joanikije of Budimlja and Nikšić,
Serbian Patriarch Irinej Irinej ( sr-cyr, Иринеј, , en, Irenaeus; born Miroslav Gavrilović; 28 August 193020 November 2020) was the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church from 2010 until his death in 2020. He had first been the bishop of Niš between 1975 and 201 ...
, Montenegrin Prime Minister-designate
Zdravko Krivokapić Zdravko Krivokapić ( cyrl, Здравко Кривокапић; born 2 September 1958) is a Montenegrin professor and politician who served as Prime Minister of Montenegro from 2020 to 2022. In addition to his professorship at the Universities ...
,
President of the Parliament of Montenegro The President of the Parliament of Montenegro ( cnr, Предсједник Скупштине Црне Горе, Predsjednik Skupštine Crne Gore) is the presiding officer of the Parliament of Montenegro. The president's term lasts four years, ...
Aleksa Bečić Aleksa Bečić ( Cyrillic: Алекса Бечић; born 4 August 1987) is a Montenegrin politician, current member of Parliament of Montenegro, who served as the president of the Parliament from 2020 until 2022. He is the founder and current pr ...
, as well as Serbian poet and the Amfilohije's close friend Matija Bećković. The funeral was a superspreader event and several church officials including Patriarch Irinej tested positive in early November. Following the Podgorica outbreak, Serbian Orthodox priests began appealing to their parishioners to take the virus more seriously.


Statistics


Graphs


Total number of cases


Total number of recoveries


Total number of deaths


New cases per day


Deaths per day


Active cases per day


Infected per municipality


Other data


Government Measures

Country-Specific Information: The Government of Montenegro announced an initial round of precautionary measures on 13 March designed to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19. Subsequent measures have also been introduced. People found to be in violation of the regulations can be fined and/or arrested, and sentenced to up to a year in prison. Some of the measures include: * Masks are required to be worn in all enclosed public spaces (e.g. shops, banks, etc.) * Extension of the validity of expired permanent and temporary residence permits and tourist visas until 1 July. * Clothing stores, book stores, hair salons, fitness centers, shops, craft workshops, dental offices, driving schools, rent-a-car agencies, museums, and galleries, are reopened with obligatory social distancing and mask measures. * Beaches are open. An area of 16 m2 will be delineated for each set of two deck chairs and one sunshade. The same rule applies to those who wish to use their own beach towels to lay on the beach. Deck chairs and other equipment will be disinfected on a daily basis. * Individual sporting activities are allowed in public spaces, with obligatory social distancing measures. Group sporting activities are also allowed with up to 200 spectators who must still maintain social distancing measures. * Internal maritime transport is reinstated for people and goods, with appropriate prevention measures, including the wearing of masks. Recreational maritime transport is also allowed. * Religious rites are allowed under certain strict conditions, including: – A maximum of one person per 10m ², inside the religious edifice; – People must maintain a minimum of two meters distance between themselves; – The maximum number of people allowed inside must be posted at the entrance; – Everyone except for the religious leader giving rites must wear masks; and – Hand disinfectant must be provided at each entrance and exit, and should be used by all who enter * The maximum number of individuals gathering in people's homes is 20 persons. * All schools and universities remain closed. * Daycare centers are permitted to reopen under conditions. * Public gatherings (including weddings and funerals) are allowed outdoors and indoors, with the attendance of no more than 200 people, who are obliged to respect a physical distance of at least two meters and other recommendations, in accordance with corresponding instructions of Public Health Institute of Montenegro. Cinemas and theaters are reopened.
Montenegro Airlines Montenegro Airlines a.d. ( cg, Montenegro erlajns) was the flag carrier of Montenegro, headquartered in Podgorica. It operated scheduled and charter services throughout Europe from its hub at Podgorica Airport with a second base maintained at Ti ...
has announced that commercial flights will resume with limited destinations on or about 15 June. * The movement of goods into Montenegro, as well as in transit to other countries, remains unhindered, but subject to special sanitary health controls. * Limiting the number of customers in relation to the size of a retail outlet. Only one customer at a time is allowed in a retail space less than ten square meters. In a retail outlet larger than ten square meters, regardless of surface, there can be no more than 50 customers at one time. * Obligation of commercial establishments to post a notice at their entrance indicating the maximum number of persons allowed inside at the same time and to implement these measures by providing the space and marking a distance of at least two meters between persons waiting to enter or checkout. * Limiting the number of customers who can be in a market (i.e. farmer's/green market) to 100. * Validity of expired
driver's license A driver's license is a legal authorization, or the official document confirming such an authorization, for a specific individual to operate one or more types of motorized vehicles—such as motorcycles, cars, trucks, or buses—on a public ...
s is automatically extended if the driver possesses a valid insurance policy and proof of valid vehicle technical inspection until 1 July. * Employers are encouraged to allow staff to continue remote work when possible and to allow
flextime Flextime (also spelled flexitime ( BE) or flex-time) is a flexible hours schedule that allows workers to alter their workday and decide/adjust their start and finish times. In contrast to traditional work arrangements that require employees to w ...
for parents of children under 11 years old. * Obligation of commercial establishments to ensure the implementation of health protection measures for their employees, as prescribed by the Institute of Public Health of Montenegro. * Enforcing epidemiological measures for people performing construction, including social distance between employees and other measures of occupational health and safety. * Suspension of the €2 fee for official birth certificates. Montenegro Entry and Exit Requirements: Land Borders with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Serbia, Kosovo and Croatia are opened. No testing required for crossing into Montenegro, 14-day quarantine is required for visitors entering from countries with >25 confirmed cases on 100,000 population.


See also

*
COVID-19 pandemic by country and territory This is a general overview and status of places affected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. The first human ...
* COVID-19 pandemic in Europe


References


External links


Institute for Public Health of Montenegro
{{COVID-19 pandemic
Montenegro ) , image_map = Europe-Montenegro.svg , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Podgorica , coordinates = , largest_city = capital , official_languages = M ...
Montenegro ) , image_map = Europe-Montenegro.svg , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Podgorica , coordinates = , largest_city = capital , official_languages = M ...
Disease outbreaks in Montenegro 2020 in Montenegro 2021 in Montenegro