LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENTS DURING THE TIME OF THE STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED DUE TO THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK

Abstract

In the conditions of the "galloping" global pandemic Covid-19, and the state of emergency declared due to it in the Republic of Serbia, the importance of local selfgovernments in terms of creating a safe environment for human life and work, could be seen. Although limited in their actions by incomplete decentralization, as well as numerous structural, i.e. institutional and normative shortcomings, LGUs acted in the direction of adequate organization and self-organization of interactions and building mechanisms for response within their own local structures. In order to gain a detailed insight into the above, this paper, first of all, provides an overview and analysis of the relevant strategic and normative framework in the field of disaster risk reduction and emergency management, as well as in the field of public health and local government. Then, from the angle of the strategic-normative framework, considering the practical applicability of certain provisions in a crisis situation, and the relationship between the strategic level of decision-making and the level of local self-government, a critical analysis of the activities of local self-government was approached, emphasizing the role of civil society organizations and the business sector during the time of the state of emergency. In this way, the observed shortcomings and examples of good governance practice were pointed out.