Serbia: Government reopens land border with Hungary for commuters April 23 /update 9

Event

Serbian Interior Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic agreed with Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto that the land border with Hungary will be reopened as of 06:00 (local time) on Thursday, April 23, allowing commuting agricultural employees to access their workplace. Individuals concerned will be able to cross the border via the Horgos, Kelebija, and Backi Breg crossing points.

On Saturday, April 18, Serbian authorities announced that some coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions would be eased or lifted starting from Tuesday, April 21. Some small businesses and markets including car mechanics, driving schools, dry cleaners, and bookshops are allowed to operate while people over 65 are able to walk outside for 30 minutes three times a week within 600 meters of their home. Authorities also plan to reopen schools and kindergartens soon, though no specific date was immediately announced. Separately, Serbia is expected to gradually reopen certain airports and resume some passenger flights between Monday, May 4, and Monday, May 11.

A nationwide weekend curfew remains in effect nationwide. The curfew is in place from 18:00 (local time) on Fridays to 05:00 on Mondays. A nationwide weekday curfew also remains in effect Monday through Friday from the hours of 18:00 until 05:00 daily. All public transportation services, including inter-city bus and rail transport, are suspended. Schools, kindergartens, universities, cafes, and shopping malls are closed. Restaurants are also shut except for delivery. Access to sporting facilities, parks, playgrounds, and public spaces is also prohibited.

All borders have been closed except for freight traffic. International passenger flights are suspended indefinitely and there are no commercial means to enter or exit the country. Serbian passport holders who arrive in Serbia on special repatriation flights are subject to a mandatory COVID-19 test. Anyone who tests positive will be placed under medical quarantine; individuals who test negative must quarantine for 28 days at home.

As of April 23, there are 7114 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 134 associated fatalities in the country. Further international spread of the virus is expected in the coming days and weeks.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) labelled the outbreak as pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and labored breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:  

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the virus.