Montenegro: Authorities ease domestic coronavirus disease-related restrictions from Dec. 9 /update 22

Event

As part of ongoing efforts to reopen the economy amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, health officials in Montenegro are easing certain restrictions as of Dec. 9. The following restrictions will be in effect nationwide:

Curfew hours have been amended to 2200-0500; during this time, persons may only leave their homes for essential purposes.
Travel between municipalities remains suspended during weekends, except for limited essential purposes.
Public gatherings are limited to four people and may only take place outdoors.
Regular religious services are permitted to resume; funerals may take place with up to 10 participants.
Shops are permitted to open between 0700-2000.
Catering establishments are permitted to open between 0700-1800; bars and clubs must remain closed.

All businesses and services permitted to operate must adhere to strict hygiene and social-distancing measures. Individuals must wear protective face coverings in indoor and outdoor public spaces and maintain at least 2 meters (6.5 feet) of physical distancing.

International Travel
Nonresident foreign nationals may enter Montenegro, provided they reside in a country on the "Green list" or have been in a Green list country for at least 15 days before traveling to Montenegro; no self-isolation or proof of negative COVID-19 tests are required. The Green list includes all EU countries, as well as Azerbaijan, Canada, China, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the UK, and Turkey, among others.

Residents of countries classified as medium risk and placed on the "Yellow list" - specifically Albania, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Israel, Kosovo, Lebanon, North Macedonia, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, and the US - must produce a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival. Travelers may also produce a positive test result for antibodies to COVID-19; there does not appear to be a time limit on these tests.

Travelers from Green list countries who have been in a Yellow list country within 15 days of their arrival in Montenegro must produce a test result. Travelers from Green and Yellow list countries must not have traveled to any country from outside the Green and Yellow-lists in the last 15 days. Residents of all other countries may not enter Montenegro unless they can prove they have been in a Green- or Yellow-list country for at least 15 days before arrival in Montenegro. Such individuals would be required to abide by the measures applicable to Green- or Yellow-list countries, accordingly. Healthcare workers, freight transporters, and diplomats are exempt from such restrictions. Authorities update the lists regularly.

Residents of Montenegro returning from any country outside the Yellow and Green lists are required to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival; some returning residents may be placed in a government quarantine facility depending on their country of departure.

International flights are operating at Podgorica (TGD) and Tivat (TIV) airports. International passenger rail services have resumed. International maritime and road borders are open, excluding the Vuca crossing between Rozaje and Tutin in Serbia, though delays are likely at entry points as border officials conduct required checks on arriving persons.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments. Plan for queues and delays at available shopping centers.

Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.