Epidemiologist: State of emergency annulment before epidemic ends in Serbia

The World Health Organisation declared the coronavirus pandemic on March 11. Four days later, Serbia introduced the state of emergency. 

"Since we still have some holidays ahead of us (May 1, and May 6 St George Day) when people usually gather, it is realistic to expect the abolishment of the state of emergency," Kon said, adding the virus had weakened.

"We diagnose mild cases now, even non-symptomatic ones, like in social institutions. There have been positive cases, and we tested the employees and discovered those without any symptoms," Kon added.

That, according to him, means that though the virus circulates, it causes a mild or no disease at all.

Kon said that the situation would be estimated in summer, "but that it looks the virus is seriously weakening."

"The end of the epidemic could be expected between the 10th and 12th week, but the total disappearance of the virus is not possible. Its presence will be monitored, but there won't be an epidemic," Kon said.

He added people should not be afraid of gradual relaxation of the measures.