Medical repatriations of all remaining cases of EUFOR personnel infected with COVID-19 to their home countries took place over the weekend. It is now possible to report that there are currently no (0) confirmed cases of COVID-19 at Camp Butmir.
EUFOR confirms that in the late evening of 16 April 2020 a member of the EU Delegation to BiH with confirmed COVID-19 infection was brought to Camp Butmir by medical personnel of the Kosevo Clinic in Sarajevo. The individual was received at the gate by medical staff and military police with the utmost caution and transferred to a prepared isolation building on camp.
EUFOR can confirm that six (6) individuals have tested positive for COVID-19, following an extensive test series carried out at Camp Butmir on 8 April 2020. These persons have been immediately placed in isolation at Camp Butmir upon receipt of the results today, under the supervision of EUFOR medical staff. Personnel who have been in close contact with the individuals are being placed in quarantine, until they receive clearance from medical personnel.
With the medical repatriations that have taken place during the last week, there are currently no EUFOR personnel at Camp Butmir with a confirmed COVID-19 infection. As a precautionary measure, individuals that were in close contact with the previous cases remain in isolation at Camp Butmir until medical clearance is given, and to date none are displaying symptoms of COVID-19 at this time.
EUFOR can confirm that a new confirmed case (1) of COVID-19 occurred in Camp Butmir. The individual concerned had followed all medical guidance and was isolated immediately on feeling the first symptoms and has been under the care of EUFOR medical personnel. Personnel who have been in close contact with the individual will be isolated until receving clearance from medical personnel.
EUFOR can confirm that one (1) individual is currently in isolation at Camp Butmir with a confirmed case of COVID-19.
On 25 February 2020, the change of command of EUFOR’s Multinational Battalion (MNBN) was marked with a military ceremony and parade at Camp Butmir, Sarajevo. COMEUFOR, Major General Reinhard Trischak, handed the colours of the MNBN from Lieutenant Colonel Manfred Leitner to Lieutenant Colonel Alfred Steingresz to signify the Change of Command.
EUFOR Commander Major General Reinhard Trischak met with the Chairman of the BiH Council of Ministers, Zoran Tegeltija on 11 March 2020 to discuss the need for the Council of Ministers to appoint the new Demining Commission.
Between 11-13 February 2020, Lieutenant General Olivier Rittimann, the Operation Commander for Operation EUFOR Althea, and Lieutenant General Antonio Vittiglio, Head of the European Union Command Element, visited the EUFOR mission in BiH. COMEUFOR, Major General Reinhard Trischak, welcomed Lieutenant General Rittimann to Camp Butmir and gave an update EUFOR’s latest activity and the current situation in BiH.
Swift action by the BiH Council of Ministers is required to appoint the new Demining Commission, Head of the EU Delegation to BiH and EU Special Representative Ambassador Johann Sattler and EUFOR Commander Major General Reinhard Trischak have warned. The Demining Commission is the country’s only body authorized to accredit and re-accredit demining organisations. With its mandate expiring, 89 percent of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s demining capacity and the entire capacity for the removal of explosive remnants of war outside registered mine suspected areas is set to be lost by the end of March.
On 21 January 2020, COMEUFOR, Major General Reinhard Trischak, and Head of the EU Delegation and EU Special Representative, Ambassador Johann Sattler, held a New Year’s reception at Camp Butmir for the key leaders of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the International Community and diplomatic corps in BiH.
HQ Staff Photo