Montenegro: Authorities to ease nationwide COVID-19-related measures from April 17 /update 34

Montenegro to slightly relax COVID-19-related restrictions from April 17; international entry restrictions remain in place.

Event

Authorities have announced that domestic COVID-19 restrictions will ease slightly from April 17. A nationwide curfew will remain in effect from 00:00-05:00, during which residents may only leave their homes for essential purposes; the curfew previously ran from 22:00-05:00. The following measures will also be in effect:

Intercity traffic remains prohibited from 21:00 on Fridays to 05:00 on Mondays.
Members of different households are forbidden to meet socially indoors.
Most public gatherings of more than two people are prohibited; registered gatherings are possible up to a maximum of 10 people.
Nonessential businesses and services may operate between 07:00-22:00.
Where permitted to open, catering establishments may operate between 07:00-23:00; 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.

Tighter restrictions remain in place until at least April 23 in Andrijevica, Berane, Kolasin, Mojkovac, Niksic, Pljevlja, and Savnik. In these areas, shopping centers, gyms, and daycare centers are closed. Moreover, residents are not permitted to travel outside their municipalities except for work, study, or medical purposes.

All travelers entering the country must present proof of vaccination or a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours prior to arrival; the test can be either a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or a rapid antigen test. Those entering without such proof must self-isolate for 14 days on arrival. All individuals arriving from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, or Serbia are exempt from this measure and may enter without restrictions. Freight transporters and aircraft cabin crews are also exempt.

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.