[5] 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.
[7] On 12 January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that a novel coronavirus 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.
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.
On 7 October 2020, the nation's most prominent cleric Amfilohije Radović, the Serbian Orthodox metropolitan bishop of Montenegro and the Littoral, tested positive for COVID-19.
[37] 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, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Ukraine and Albania, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bar and Islamic communities in Montenegro and Serbia, 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, Montenegrin Prime Minister-designate Zdravko Krivokapić, President of the Parliament of Montenegro Aleksa Bečić, as well as Serbian poet and the Amfilohije's close friend Matija Bećković.
[38][39][40][41] The funeral was a superspreader event and several church officials including Patriarch Irinej tested positive in early November.
[42] Country-Specific Information:[46][47] The Government of Montenegro announced an initial round of precautionary measures on 13 March designed to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19.
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: – 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 Cinemas and theaters are reopened.
Montenegro Entry and Exit Requirements: Land Borders with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Serbia, Kosovo and Croatia are opened.