Hristijan Mickoski, the Leader of the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization – Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity (VMRO-DPMNE), the centre-right, principal opposition party in North Macedonia has self-isolated after coming into contact with a journalist who later tested positive for COVID-19, according to Bulgarian online periodical Novinite.

In an interview of 20 March 2020, Mickoski criticised the Government of Macedonia for the tardiness of their response in testing suspected cases of coronavirus, and in providing support for small and medium-sized businesses. It is feared that many skilled workers will leave in the wake of the crisis, and many small businesses will not reopen.

As of 10 April 2020, there were 711 confirmed cases in North Macedonia, and there have been 32 deaths, according to Worldometers. Health authorities had conducted a total of 6571 tests.

Former Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev is also currently self-isolating following an interview with the same journalist.

Picture by European People’s Party – EPP Zagreb Congress in Croatia, 20-21 November 2019, CC BY 2.0, Link.