Starting from 1 June, Citizens from over 130 countries will be allowed to enter Montenegro without negative coronavirus test and mandatory quarantine. After Montenegro declared end to the coronavirus epidemic on 2 June, the first tourists started to arrive. CdM asked the Institute for Public Health how high the risk of the virus importation was.
They were clear – the arrival of passengers in the international traffic carried considerable risk and insisting on the negative test is “not one of the factors that might reduce the risk”.
“Result of the test only reflects current situation, at the moment the sample was taken, but it does not tell us anything about the time before the sample was taken or shortly after it was taken. The passenger could be exposed to the virus and develop symptoms later”, Institute says.
What might reduce the risk of the importation are measures and recommendations which refer to passengers in the international air traffic and are aimed at deterring travelling or disabling persons showing symptoms of respiratory infections to travel by plane.
“A very important risk mitigation factor if appropriate information of both guest and hosts – our hoteliers and hotel employees and everybody else: in commerce, boutiques, tourist organizations…”, Institute stated in statement.
Montenegro has its own rules for tourists. And while it can be entered without test and without mandatory quarantine, some countries have opted for more rigorous measures.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
It opened its borders on 1 June.
Self-isolation measure was lifted but foreign nationals are only allowed to enter the country if they have some business activities or must attend funerals as family members.
In both cases, persons are required to have negative test for coronavirus and address the competent healthcare institution in the municipality they go to.
Serbia
Since 22 May, Serbia’s borders have been open. Whoever wants to enter the country can do that and is not required to be tested negative and no special license is required for domestic and foreign citizens. Apart from that, passengers are not obliged to self-isolate when they enter Serbia, but they will be given health warnings and recommendations for the prevention of infection.
Kosovo
Three days ago, New Government of Kosovo rendered decision to open borders to Montenegro and lift measures for Montenegrin citizens. Citizens from Montenegro who enter Kosovo won’t be self-isolated, only checked by medical staff.
Greece
Borders to all citizens will open on 15 June. Greece will not require mandatory testing and 14-day quarantine.
Croatia
Croatia has opened its borders to tourists from 10 European countries: Slovenia, Hungary, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland and Germany.
Turkey
Borders will probably be open to tourists on 25 June.
No data concerning Turkey’s requirements.
Bulgaria
It opened its borders on 1 June.
Bulgaria doesn’t require quarantine or negative test.
Macedonia
Borders are expected to be open by 10 or 15 June.
Quarantine measure is still in force.
After 10 or 15 June, it has been announced that no negative test or quarantine will be required.
Austria
Austria will reopen its borders to Italy and list quarantine measures for passengers from 20 European countries next week.
Germany
Germany is expected to lift ban on travelling for EU members, Great Britain, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, provided that there are no great blockages in these countries.
Slovenia
Citizens of Austria, Croatia and Hungary have been allowed to cross the border of Slovenia and now the same goes for another 14 countries: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Norway, Slovakia and Switzerland.
Citizens from the countries which are not on the list will be quarantined for 14 days.
