Municipalities are the first link in managing the health emergency

The KLGI Institute appreciates the commitment of Kosovo's municipalities in operationalising and implementing preventive measures against COVID-19. In this period of dealing with the coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic and social isolation, Kosovo's municipalities are handling the public health emergency well.

In addition to dealing directly with the situation and providing on-the-ground assistance to health teams, the police and other institutional mechanisms, Kosovo's municipalities are also playing a key role in preventive measures. Currently, most municipalities have disinfected public spaces, coordinated the supply and distribution of goods, food and medicines, avoided meetings in order to maintain social distancing, and communicated effectively with the public through the media.

At the same time, through the emergency headquarters they have set up, municipalities are helping to identify the contacts of people infected with COVID-19 and to provide aid, in coordination with donors, to isolated families and families in need.

To further increase efficiency in dealing with the situation, and in particular should the risk spread, the KLGI Institute recommends that institutions and municipalities ensure:

o Full identification and updating of the contacts of people infected with COVID-19 by place of residence;

o Advance identification of actions for municipalities in implementing the National Response Plan;

o Full coordination with businesses and pharmacies for the efficient distribution of supplies in the event that municipalities are isolated.

Within the framework of these measures, the role of the Ministry of Local Government Administration and its coordination with the Association of Kosovo Municipalities is key to the horizontal implementation of the measures and the efficiency of their implementation.

The communication from the Ministry of Finance and Transfers clarifying for municipalities the use of financial resources during the public health emergency is to be commended. Municipalities cannot remain hostage to procedural ambiguities when it comes to helping citizens.

Calling on citizens to strictly follow the measures and recommendations of the institutions, the KLGI Institute expresses its readiness to support the Ministry of Local Government Administration and the Association of Kosovo Municipalities in coordinating with municipalities.