Montenegro, March 16, 2020
Photo: mitropolija.com
While the coronavirus continues to spread, hitting countries like Italy especially hard, there remains one European country with no confirmed cases.
As of mid-day today, 69 people in Montenegro have been tested for coronavirus, though all tests have come back negative, reports the Telegram channel Ukraine Online, with reference to official data.
That there are no confirmed cases is especially remarkable given that Montenegrins have been gathering on the streets throughout the nation by the tens and hundreds of thousands twice weekly since late December, when the state adopted a scandalous law that aims to give the government the authority to seize churches, monasteries, and other holy sites from the Serbian Orthodox Church.
Speaking at a press conference last night, Deputy Prime Minister Milutin Simović stated that there is no coronavirus in Montenegro and the authorities are doing everything to delay its occurrence. The restrictions and measures introduced have proved to be a justified and responsible approach, and thus the state has chosen to expand the measures, he explained.
Unfortunately, these measures include a nation-wide quarantine that requires that the bi-weekly Orthodox processions be put on hold.
According to a statement on the site of the Metropolis of Montenegro of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Church authorities intend to comply with the decisions of the competent state authorities regarding the coronavirus epidemic.
“We send words of comfort and encouragement to the faithful and all people of good will, reminding them that throughout the history of the Church and humanity, there have been many similar epidemics and diseases, but that with the help of prayer and God’s help, they have been overcome and healed. There is no doubt that this will be the case this time,” the message states.
