Montenegro: Authorities tighten COVID-19-related restrictions Feb. 24 amid rising infection rates /update 27

Montenegro tightens COVID-19 restrictions Feb. 24; business and travel disruptions continue.

Event

As of Feb. 24, authorities in Montenegro have further tightened restrictions imposed to combat the spread of COVID-19 amid rising infection rates in the country. Public events are prohibited and catering facilities are closed in Bar, Cetinje, Danilovgrad, Kotor, Niksic, Podgorica, Tuzi, and Ulcinj. All nonessential businesses and services must close in Herceg Novi. The following restrictions remain in effect nationwide:

A nightly 2100-0500 curfew is in force; residents may only leave their homes for essential purposes during this time.
Intercity traffic is prohibited from 2100 Fridays to 0500 Mondays.
Public gatherings are limited to four people and may only take place outdoors.
Regular religious services are permitted; funerals may take place with up to 10 participants.
Nonessential businesses and services may operate between 0700-1800.
Where permitted to open, catering establishments may operate between 0700-1800; bars and clubs must remain closed.
Individuals must wear protective face coverings in indoor and outdoor public spaces and maintain at least 2 meters (6.5 feet) of physical distancing.

Tougher restrictions are in place in the municipalities of Budva and Tivat due to higher infection rates. Residents of those locations are not permitted to travel outside their municipalities. Moreover, gatherings are prohibited, and all nonessential businesses and services are closed.

Travelers arriving from Bahrain, Belgium, Botswana, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, India, Ireland, Israel, Latvia, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, the UK, and the US must produce evidence of a negative result from a COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test taken within the previous 72 hours. Montenegrin nationals and residents may enter from those countries without a test if they instead submit to a mandatory 14-day self-isolation period. Travelers from other countries may enter without restriction. All border crossings are open.

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.