The U.S. Embassy in Belgrade has issued a health and travel alert concerning the COVID-19 situation in Serbia. As of March 22, the Serbian Ministry of Health reported 555,897 confirmed cases and 4,966 deaths due to the virus. In the past 24 hours, 14,474 individuals were tested, with 4,769 new cases identified. Currently, there are approximately 5,899 people hospitalized.
The Serbian government has implemented updated nationwide measures effective from March 22. Cafes, bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and shopping malls will remain closed. Food stores and cultural institutions can operate until 9:00 p.m., while other businesses may stay open until 8:00 p.m., provided they maintain a minimum space of nine square meters per person or visitor. Fitness centers and similar facilities must ensure at least sixteen square meters per person.
Bars and restaurants are allowed to sell take-away food and drinks over the counter with delivery services available around the clock. Hotel dining facilities may serve only hotel guests until 9:00 p.m.
Previous measures that continue include mandatory face coverings indoors and on public transport, restrictions on public gatherings exceeding five people except for certain facilities like schools which have specific capacity limits based on square footage. Public transport is limited to half its capacity; employees are encouraged to work from home when possible; visits to hospitals are banned; elder-care home visits are restricted to fifteen minutes; and a recommended distance of 1.5 meters between people outdoors is advised.
Entry requirements into Serbia remain unchanged since January 14 for travelers from North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, or Bulgaria who do not need a negative PCR test. Travelers from the United States can present either a negative PCR or antigen test upon entry.
Foreigners entering Serbia must provide a negative PCR test taken within forty-eight hours prior unless they fall under specific exemptions such as transit passengers or diplomatic staff among others. Foreign citizens with temporary or permanent residence in Serbia may enter without a negative test but must quarantine for ten days unless they obtain a negative PCR result after arrival.
Travelers heading to the United States need to present a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within three days before travel or documentation proving recovery from COVID-19 within ninety days prior to travel starting January 26.
U.S. citizens are advised to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for updates and check relevant embassy webpages for information regarding conditions in Serbia. The current U.S Department of State Travel Advisory for Serbia is Level 3: Reconsider Travel while the CDC has issued a Level 4 Warning advising against non-essential travel.
For further assistance or information about these guidelines:
Embassy Belgrade can be contacted at +381 (11) 706-4000 or via email at BelgradeACS@state.gov.
Additional resources include following updates on Facebook and Twitter.
The State Department – Consular Affairs provides country-specific information through contact numbers: 888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444.
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