Skopje, 23 August 2021 (MIA) – The State Statistical Office (SSO) isn’t authorized to postpone the census. Parliament is the only institution that can change the census law, SSO head Apostol Simovski told Kanal 5 TV on Monday evening. The SSO, he added, stresses that the census can be conducted and all citizens will remain safe, as the process will take place in line with measures recommended by the Commission for Infectious Diseases. “Measures will be fully respected at all times. First, census takers and citizens will wear face masks. Second, special protocols will be enforced when visiting infected people and those in isolation,” Simovski said. In regard to census takers, Simovski underlined that a third of them are vaccinated, while half of the rest said that they would be willing to get vaccinated. “There are three days left for new census takers to apply. Over 1,250 have already signed up. Candidates who applied last time but didn’t show up for the test can take it now. We expect good turnout,” Simovski added. He stressed that the census methodology has been fully accepted by Eurostat, which has confirmed that it is fully in line with Eurostat and UN standards. In regard to the possibility for the process to be boycotted, Simovski underlined that taking part in the census isn’t just a right, but also a legal obligation for all citizens. “If somebody refuses to take part in the census, while all protocols are in place, they will bear the consequences,” Simovski said. He added that Afghan citizens scheduled to arrive in North Macedonia won’t take part in the census, explaining that there’s a special protocol in place for asylum seekers and refugees.