Serbia: Travel restrictions with several countries to be eased from June 1 /update 11

Event

Serbian authorities announced on Tuesday, May 19, that they had agreed to ease some of its coronavirus disease (COVID-19) travel restrictions for travelers from a number of countries from Monday, June 1. Following a videoconference with the leaders of Bulgaria, Greece, and Romania, the Serbian government agreed that travelers arriving from Bulgaria and Greece may enter the country without undergoing an obligatory 14-day quarantine period if they are entering for business, family, or humanitarian purposes, and if they complete a health declaration. Romania is pending the approval of its parliament before it joins this agreement. Serbian authorities also announced that as of June 1, travelers from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and North Macedonia will be permitted to enter the country.

On Wednesday, May 6, the Serbian government lifted the state of emergency (SoE) measures and the nationwide curfew imposed due to COVID-19. Public transport, including rail and bus services, resumed on Friday, May 8. Cafes, restaurants, and shopping centers have also been permitted to reopen. Authorities continue to emphasize the need for social distancing measures. Group celebrations such as weddings, baptism, and birthdays will be resumed from Monday, June 15. Schools, kindergartens, and universities remain closed.

The land border with Hungary has already been 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.

As of Wednesday, May 20, authorities have confirmed 10,733 cases of COVID-19 in the country, as well as 234 associated deaths. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected over the near term.

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.