Kosovo PM ready to declare state of emergency over coronavirus

Gazeta Express

09/07/2020 13:35

Kosovo prime minister Avdullah Hoti addressing the Parliament on Thursday said that legal experts of his Office have concluded a draft law on managing COVID-19, sponsored by the Speaker Vjosa Osmani, is insufficient in case the country needs to take more extreme measures to prevent further spread of the virus.

“The Government has reviewed the draft law on pandemic. This draft law does not solve problems. The only solution if we want to take extreme measures in restriction of movement at the country level is to declare the state of emergency,” Hoti told MPs. He said that such a thing can be done, and his Government is considering introducing such measures to prevent further spread of virus, Gazeta Express reports.  

“I am in close consultations with the National Institute of Public Health and the Committee led by minister of Health, and I will not hesitate to declare the state of emergency if this is recommended by the Ministry of Health and the Institute,” Hoti said.

Speaker Vjosa Osmani whose cabinet has sponsored the legal initiative reminded to PM Hoti that he cannot propose declaration of the state of emergency and this can be done only by country’s President.

Kosovo Parliament debated on Thursday the COVID-19 pandemic as the country saw record spike of new coronavirus cases over the last few days. The Government has decided to introduce curfew in the municipalities hit the most by the virus, including the capital Pristina. The Number of COVID-19 cases has surpassed 4.000. Also 86 people have died from the virus since the first case was confirmed in early March. /GazetaExpress/