Serbia’s military deploys at borders to help fight coronavirus

Serbia’s military deployed at the borders on Wednesday, for the first time in over a decade, as authorities imposed a state of emergency to try to curb the spread of coronavirus.

At the Batrovci border crossing with Croatia, a European Union and a NATO member, a Serbian armored personnel carrier and soldiers, wearing surgical masks, gloves and goggles, stood near a long line of Serbians who were flocking home.

In 2007 the Serbian military handed over control of the borders to police, as Belgrade sought to secure visa-free travels with the EU.

On Tuesday Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced the elderly must stay indoors at all times. Authorities also imposed a night curfew on almost everyone else.

Serbia, which is a candidate to join the EU, has already imposed an array of restrictions, including the closure of kindergartens, schools and universities, and a ban on entry to foreigners. It also postponed April 26 general elections.

Read more via Reuters