“Pandemic across the barbed wire fences” – Formula TV dedicates a reportage to the EUMM work during COVID 19
The reportage describes the Mission work and its patrols adjusted to the current situation due to pandemic. The patrol, which took place in Abano village, close to the Administrative Boundary Line (ABL) with South Ossetia included the Acting Head of EUMM, Kate Fearon.
“According to our observations, the situation has not changed. We see that process of so-called borderization continues. Everyone knows about the incident which occurred on April 17 when additional green signs were installed. Similar activities continue throughout the coronavirus pandemic” - Acting Head of Mission noted in her interview.
According to interviewed locals, the restrictions set due to the spread of coronavirus have created difficulties.
The author notes that the pandemic has changed routine of EUMM monitors patrol. According to the Head of Field Office Gori, Mihaela Gherasim, monitors try to follow the rules that were introduced due to the pandemic, they keep distance, do not talk to the locals, and do thermal screening every day.
“
The work we are doing and the information we are gathering is important to ensure that the representatives of EU member states know exactly what is happening on the ground. That is why it is very important to go out for patrolling every day, to assess if the actions of parties have changed and to make information available, so that the EU member states can make the necessary political decisions” -Acting Head of Mission said.
