The Security Council has proposed that the government should declare 30-day nationwide state of crisis in response to the coronavirus crisis in the country, President Stevo Pendarovski said Thursday.
Regulated by law, state of crisis, among other things, involves engagement of the Army to support the police, and private health institutions in curbing the spread of COVID-19.
The COVID-19 situation in the country is extremely serious, the President told reporters saying the situation isn’t any different in Europe and beyond.
Once a state of crisis is declared, Pendarovski explained, competent institutions under the Law on Defence and the Law on Crisis Management will be entrusted with more powers, including the Army assisting health authorities. “I have to mention that the Army now is also engaged as support to law enforcement and health institutions, but its powers are limited,” he stated.
The Army, Pendarovski said, will be engaged only when requested by the crisis management HQ.
The President stressed that the Army was more prepared now than in the spring to assist state institutions in tackling the coronavirus wave.
In a state of crisis, the government under the law has the right to manage the resources of state bodies, public enterprises, the City of Skopje and its municipalities as well as private companies, including private hospitals.
“It, however, doesn’t envisage nationalization of private hospitals, the state could only manage their resources in the fight against the pandemic to the extend the government will decide that is necessary,” Pendarovski said noting that private ownership was guaranteed under the Constitution.
State of crisis, the President reiterated, doesn’t mean that curfew will be enforced or that the movement of people will be restricted.
Pendarovski said he expected the government to declare nationwide state of crisis very soon.
Thursday’s 10th session of the Security Council focused on current developments regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
Health Minister Venko Filipche, who was invited by the President to attend today’s meeting, informed the Security Council members about the resources at disposal in healthcare and their organization in a bid to slow the spread of the new virus. Also, PM Zoran Zaev briefed about current political developments.
At the moment, a state of crisis is enforced on the northern and southern borders where soldiers and police officers work together to stop migrants and refugees from illegally crossing the borders.
In addition to the Council’s regular members, PM Zaev, Speaker Talat Xhaferi, Defence Minister Radmila Shekerinska and Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani, Minister Filipche was also in attendance. Interior Minister Oliver Spasovski was not.
