July 27, 2020 - The Institute of Public Health completed yesterday PCR analysis of 407 samples for the new coronavirus, among which 52 results were positive. No further COVID-19 related deaths were reported, and the total number of confirmed deaths since the beginning of June remains at 34. Seventy-five infected people recovered, bringing the total number of currently active COVID-19 cases in Montenegro to 2017.
The National Coordinating Body updated a set of measures in place to combat the spread of COVID-19 infection. All rules shall be in force until there is no further risk of coronavirus spreading; this is the case except for rules for which a period of application is specified.
GENERAL PROTECTION MEASURES - PROTECTIVE MASKS AND PHYSICAL DISTANCE
1. Wearing protective masks outdoors and indoors is mandatory throughout Montenegro, including for children older than seven years, except on beaches and national parks, subject to physical distance and previously prescribed measures.
2. Companies and entrepreneurs engaged in retail trade, including green markets, as well as state bodies, administrative bodies, local self-government bodies, public institutions and other entities of public authority, banks, post offices and other legal entities, are obliged to designate one or more persons responsible for controlling whether citizens/service users wear protective masks and respect the measure of minimum mutual physical distance.
PUBLIC ASSEMBLIES
3. The gathering of persons is limited to a maximum of 40 persons in open public places and 20 persons in closed, with the obligation to respect a physical distance of at least two meters. (This obligation does not apply to residential buildings.);
4. Political rallies in open public places are prohibited;
5. The presence of spectators at sports events is prohibited;
6. Religious gatherings in open public places are prohibited, except on the territory of consecrated religious buildings (it is recommended to religious communities to perform religious rites without the presence of citizens in religious buildings);
7. Acceptance of condolences is prohibited. Funerals are performed exclusively in the immediate circle of the family.
8. Private gatherings (weddings, prom nights, birthdays, etc.) are prohibited.
The measure is applied until August 6, 2020, when the application can be extended.
INTERNATIONAL TRAFFIC AND TRAVEL
9. Civil servants, state employees, and employees working in local self-government bodies are prohibited from traveling abroad, except in cases when the trip is of state interest, with the prior consent of the head of the body.
10. It is forbidden to organize all school excursions, trips, educational gatherings, etc. abroad.
11. International passenger rail traffic has been suspended.
12. International road, sea, and air transport remains operational with countries and through the territory of countries on the "green list" consisting of: the Member States of the European Union (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, the Netherlands, Croatia, Ireland, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden) and Algeria, Andorra, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Brunei, Fiji, Philippines, Georgia, Indonesia, Iceland, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Cambodia, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Madagascar, Malaysia, Morocco, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Norway, New Zealand, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Seychelles, Senegal, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, and Zambia.
13. International air traffic remains operational with Ukraine and Belarus with control of passengers during embarkation and disembarkation and fulfillment of other conditions prescribed by the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism.
14. Off-line traffic with countries that are not on the "green list" functions in such a way that the group of passengers is transported from the departure point to the destination. Passenger entry and exit are excluded.
ENTRY TO MONTENEGRO - CITIZENS OF MONTENEGRO AND FOREIGNERS RESIDING IN MONTENEGRO
15. Entry into Montenegro is permitted for every Montenegin citizen with permanent residence in Montenegro and foreigners with permanent or temporary residence in Montenegro:
- No additional restrictions are in place if the passenger meets all three of the following conditions:
1: Is a resident of one of the "green list" countries or has resided for at least 15 days before entering Montenegro in a country on the "green list,"
2: Did not stay in any country outside the "green list" 15 days before entering Montenegro, and
3: Did not travel to or through the countries outside the "green list" except in transit (transit is non-stop travel, as evidenced by travel documentation).
The "Green list" countries are: the Member States of the European Union (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, the Netherlands, Croatia, Ireland, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden) and Algeria, Andorra, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Brunei, Fiji, Philippines, Georgia, Indonesia, Iceland, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Cambodia, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Madagascar, Malaysia, Morocco, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Norway, New Zealand, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Seychelles, Senegal, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, and Zambia.
- Travelers may enter with a negative PCR, ELISA or ECLIA test result for COVID-19 no more than 72 hours old if the following three conditions are met:
1: He/She is a resident of one of the countries from the previous "green list" or the following "amber list" or has resided at least 15 days before entering Montenegro in the country from the "green list" or the "amber list," and
2: did not stay in countries outside the "green" or "amber" lists in the period from the 15th day before entering Montenegro until the day of entry, and
3: did not travel to or through any of the countries outside the "green list "and "amber list" except in transit (transit is non-stop travel, as evidenced by travel documentation).
The "Amber List" countries are: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Kosovo, Israel, and Singapore.
The testing requirement does NOT apply to children under the age of five.
- Citizens of Montenegro with permanent residence in Montenegro and foreigners with permanent or temporary residence in Montenegro entering the country from one of the countries outside the previous two lists are sent upon entry into institutional isolation or self-isolation for 14 days.
Self-isolation means staying in family accommodation or another facility with restricted movement and monitoring of the isolated individual's health condition, as well as that of all members of his or her joint family household. The competent epidemiological service monitors the health condition following the Sanitary Inspection's decision.
Institutional isolation means accommodation in a facility intended for self-isolation and stay of persons who have tested positive for new coronavirus and have no symptoms of the disease, do not require medical treatment, but must be under the supervision of health workers, based on the decision of the Sanitary Inspection.
ENTRY TO MONTENEGRO - FOREIGNERS
16. Entry into Montenegro is allowed to foreign citizens under the following conditions:
- No additional restrictions if he/she meets all three of the following terms:
1: is a resident of one of the countries on the "green list" or has stayed for at least 15 days in a country on the "green list" before entering Montenegro, and
2: during the 15 days before entering Montenegro did not stay in one of the countries outside the "green list," and
3: did not travel to or through any countries outside the "green list" except in transit, proved by travel documentation).
Green list: the Member States of the European Union (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, the Netherlands, Croatia, Ireland, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden) and Algeria, Andorra, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Brunei, Fiji, Philippines, Georgia, Indonesia, Iceland, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Cambodia, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Madagascar, Malaysia, Morocco, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Norway, New Zealand, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Seychelles, Senegal, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, and Zambia.
- With a negative PCR, or ELISA or ECLIA test result for COVID-19 no more than 72 hours old if he/she meets all three of the following conditions:
1: Is a resident of one of the countries on the "green list" or the "amber list" or has stayed at least 15 days before entering Montenegro in a country on the "green list" or the "amber list" 2: Did not stay in any of the countries outside the "green" or "amber" lists in the period from the 15th day before entering Montenegro until the day of entry, 3: Did not travel to or through any of the countries outside the "green list" and the "amber list" except in transit (transit is non-stop travel, as evidenced by inspecting travel documentation).
Amber List: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Kosovo, Israel, and Singapore.
The testing requirement does NOT apply to children under the age of five.
Residents of countries outside the previous two lists can't enter Montenegro unless they have proof (stamp in the passport) that they have spent at least 15 days until the day of entry into Montenegro in one of the countries from the "green list." (European Union countries - Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Netherlands, Croatia, Ireland, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden, and Algeria, Andorra, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Brunei, Fiji, Philippines, Georgia, Indonesia, Iceland, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Cambodia, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Madagascar, Malaysia, Morocco, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Norway, New Zealand, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Seychelles, Senegal, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, United Emirates, the United Kingdom, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, and Zambia) and that they did not visit countries outside this list during that period.
International air travel remains operational to Montenegro for residents of Ukraine and Belarus, with passenger control during embarkation and disembarkation and fulfillment of other conditions prescribed by the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism.
NOTE: Upon entry, the individual's country of residence is taken into account, not the country of which he is a national if it is not the same state.
ENTRY TO MONTENEGRO - EXCEPTIONS - SPECIAL CATEGORIES
17. Following the European Commission's recommendations, specific categories of persons required for the normal functioning of vital services and persons of clear economic interest are excluded from the above criteria. The Institute of Public Health prescribes special conditions for entry and movement through Montenegro for:
- Health professionals, health researchers, and scientists;
- Persons who perform or provide transport of passengers and goods;
- Diplomats accredited in Montenegro, staff of international organizations, military personnel, and humanitarian aid workers performing their functions
- Specific categories of passengers in transit;
- Persons in need of international protection or coming to Montenegro for other humanitarian reasons (the principle of nonrefoulement is respected).
ENTRY TO MONTENEGRO - EXCEPTIONS - non-commercial and occasional air traffic (so-called general aviation)
18. The entry of foreign nationals who come to Montenegro by non-commercial air transport, regardless of the country of origin, is permitted, subject to the following temporary measures:
- If the aircraft comes from one of the countries from the "green list," there are no additional restrictions when entering.
Green list: the Member States of the European Union (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, the Netherlands, Croatia, Ireland, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden) and Algeria, Andorra, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Brunei, Fiji, Philippines, Georgia, Indonesia, Iceland, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Cambodia, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Madagascar, Malaysia, Morocco, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Norway, New Zealand, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Seychelles, Senegal, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, and Zambia.
- If the aircraft comes from the Republic of Serbia, passengers and crew must have a negative PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 not older than 72 hours, issued by a registered laboratory, following the Institute of Public Health recommendations of Montenegro and have a reservation in hotel accommodation if staying in Montenegro. The aircraft operator must submit a request for flight approval to the airport operator 48 hours before the planned flight, which, in addition to regular information, must contain the name and surname of passengers and crew if they are staying in Montenegro. The airport operator reserves the right to approve or reject the flight.
After entering Montenegro, health surveillance measures are taken regarding these passengers, following the recommendations of the Institute of Public Health of Montenegro. For the arrival/departure of passengers from the passenger terminal to the accommodation, special transport must be arranged, following the recommendations of the Institute of Public Health of Montenegro.
- If the aircraft comes from another country, passengers and crew must have a negative PCR, ELISA, or ECLIA test for COVID-19 not older than 72 hours when entering Montenegro.
After entering Montenegro, health surveillance measures are taken regarding these passengers, following the recommendations of the Institute of Public Health of Montenegro. For the arrival/departure of passengers from the passenger terminal to the accommodation, special transport must be arranged, following the recommendations of the Institute of Public Health of Montenegro.
When staying in a hotel or other accommodation, passengers are obliged to apply the recommendations of the Institute of Public Health of Montenegro.
The testing requirement does NOT apply to children under the age of five.
TRANSIT OF RESIDENTS OF BIH, KOSOVO, AND ALBANIA THROUGH MONTENEGRO
19. It is possible for residents of neighboring "amber list" countries (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Albania) to transit through Montenegro between "amber list" countries without the obligation to have a PCR, ELISA or ECLIA test.
In order to fulfil transit conditions, the time of entry into Montenegro, passing checkpoints and leaving Montenegro, is recorded.
BORDER CROSSINGS
20. All border crossings for entry into Montenegro are open EXCEPT for the following:
- Vraćenovići on the road Nikšić - Bileća, which was closed on February 27 due to the construction of border infrastructure; and
- Towing on the road Rožaje - Tutin, which was closed on June 20 to suppress the transmission of coronavirus from the Republic of Serbia.
21. The entry of passengers into Montenegro from Bosnia and Herzegovina is NOT POSSIBLE through the border crossings Šćepan Polje on the road Plužine - Foča, and Meteljka on the Pljevlja - Čajniče road.
At these crossings, passengers can leave Montenegro and goods can travel in both directions.
INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION AND SELF-ISOLATION
22. The measure of self-isolation is of the following duration:
- 21 days for persons who have been or are suspected of being in contact with persons suffering from the new coronavirus or with persons suspected of having the disease.
- Until recovery, and for at least 21 days for persons who have had a positive PCR test for the new coronavirus, have mild symptoms or no symptoms of the disease.
Measures are determined based on the Sanitary Inspection's decision, following the Protocol for the treatment of patients and contacts of COVID-19 patients of the Institute of Public Health of Montenegro.
Self-isolation means staying in family accommodation or another facility with restricted movement with monitoring of the individual's health condition, as well as that of all members of his joint family household. The competent epidemiological service monitors their health condition based on the Sanitary Inspection's decision.
23. The measure of institutional isolation is required for:
- persons who have been hospitalized and meet the criteria for recovery under the Protocol of treatment of patients and contacts of COVID-19 patients of the Institute of Public Health of Montenegro and have a negative test result before the end of the period from 21 days from the day of diagnosis of the infection (the first positive test for SARS-CoV-2).
- persons who have been hospitalized, meet the criteria for recovery, and have a positive control test result, following the Protocol of treatment of patients and contacts COVID- 19 patients of the Institute of Public Health of Montenegro.
Exceptionally, a measure of self-isolation may be imposed on these persons, if the conditions are met for accommodation in self-isolation.
Self-isolation means staying in family accommodation or another facility with restricted movement and monitoring of the individual's health condition, as well as that of all members of his/her joint family household. The competent epidemiological service monitors the health condition following the Sanitary Inspection's decision.
Institutional isolation means accommodation in a facility intended for self-isolation and stay of persons who have tested positive for new coronavirus and have no symptoms of the disease. The individual does not require medical treatment, but must be under the supervision of health workers, based on the decision of the Sanitary Inspection.
24. The measure of obligatory quarantine or self-isolation is required for a period of 14 days for any citizen or resident of Montenegro who comes from one of the countries with which international passenger traffic is not permitted. This measure is based on the decision of the Sanitary Inspection, following the Protocol for the treatment of patients and contacts of COVID-19 patients of the Institute of Public Health of Montenegro.
Self-isolation means staying in family accommodation or another facility, with restricted movement and monitoring of the individual's health condition, as well as that of all members of his/her joint family household. The competent epidemiological service monitors the health condition following the Sanitary Inspection's decision.
Institutional isolation means accommodation in a facility intended for self-isolation and stay of persons positive for new coronavirus who have no symptoms of the disease. The individual does not require medical treatment under these circumstances, but must be under the supervision of health workers based on the decision of the Sanitary Inspection.
VISITS TO PERSONS IN HOSPITALS
25. Visits to persons undergoing hospital treatment in health care institutions and persons housed in social and childcare institutions are prohibited.
VISITS TO PERSONS DEPRIVED OF LIBERTY AND SERVING PRISON SENTENCES
26. Visits to detainees and persons serving a prison sentence under the Administration for the Execution of Criminal Sanctions are prohibited, except for lawyers and court experts by court decision.
SPORT AND RECREATION
27. Training of athletes, and sports competitions and tournaments taking place in a sports facility (indoor and outdoor sports facility - courts and swimming pools) are to be organized without spectators, ensuring that the owners and users of sports facilities apply the following temporary measures:
- Mandatory disinfection of equipment for training, competitions, and tournaments, and items shared by athletes, following the recommendations of the Institute of Public Health of Montenegro; and
- Respect for personal hygiene measures - regular hand hygiene, before and after the completion of the activity.
28. Companies and entrepreneurs who provide services in fitness centers and gyms are obliged to organize the facility so that only one person per 10 m2 can stay in be present at any one time. The presence of more than 20 people is not permitted, and there is an obligation to respect a physical distance of at least two meters and to ensure compliance with other measures, following the instructions of the Institute of Public Health of Montenegro.
29. Cyclists are not obliged to wear protective masks during individual rides or joint rides of members of the same family household. Cyclists in a group must wear protective face coverings.
30. Users of unofficial bathing areas are obliged to respect a distance of at least 2m, except for members of a joint family household.
HEALTH CARE
31. In private and public health institutions, employees and patients are required to wear protective masks.
32. Dental health ambulances are obliged to organize the work in such a way as to provide a system of mandatory patient appointments. Only one patient can stay in a waiting room of 10m². The owner is obliged to provide means for the disinfection of patients' hands when entering/leaving the office, as well as ensuring that all employees respect work procedures and wear personal protective equipment, following the recommendations of the IPPC and the Dental Chamber of Montenegro.
33. Other health care institutions are obliged to:
- Ensure that all patients wear protective masks during their stay in the health institution (with some exceptions regarding the patient's clinical condition and ensuring that the covering does not compromise the patient's respiratory function) and ensure respect for a physical distance of at least 2m between patients,
- Clearly and visibly display notifications on temporary measures prescribed for prevention and control of the new coronavirus,
- Provide means for the disinfection of patients' hands at the entrance/exit of the health institution.
CENTERS FOR SOCIAL WORK
34. The work of first-instance social-medical commissions in social and child protection within centers for social work has been suspended.
EDUCATION
35. Educational work in public and private educational institutions, as well as in preschool institutions, is suspended.
36. During the validity of the aforementioned measure, one of the parents/guardians / foster parents / adoptive parents or single parents of preschool children are provided with the right to paid leave from work, except for employees in health, courts, state prosecutor's office, Anti-Corruption Bureau, the Ministry of Defense, the National Security Agency, the Ministry of Interior, the Police Administration, the Customs Administration, the Tax Administration, the Real Estate Administration, the State Treasury Directorate in the Ministry of Finance working on the implementation of the Economy and the Employee Support Program.
TOURISM AND CATERING
37. Nightclubs and discos are to remain closed.
The measure will be applied until August 6, 2020, when its application may be extended.
38. Catering facilities (restaurants, cafes, cafeterias, hotel restaurants, and similar catering facilities), including catering facilities on beaches, are limited from 06:00 to 24:00.
39. Companies, other legal entities and entrepreneurs performing catering activities in catering facilities (restaurants, cafes, cafeterias, hotel restaurants, and similar catering facilities) in the capital Podgorica, the Capital Cetinje and the municipalities: Pljevlja, Plužine, Žabljak, Šavnik, Nikšić, Danilovgrad, Tuzi, Kolašin, Mojkovac, Bijelo Polje, Berane, Andrijevica, Petnjica, Plav, Rožaje, and Gusinje, are obliged to organize their work, in such a way that:
- A maximum of two guests can sit at a table inside the catering facility, or four guests on the terrace/garden of the facility;
- Self-service options are not provided, including waiting and standing at the bar;
- They provide a distance of at least 2 m between tables,
- They provide regular maintenance of hygiene and disinfection of common areas, furniture, equipment, etc., following the recommendations of the Institute of Public Health of Montenegro.
40. Companies, legal entities, and entrepreneurs engaged in catering and performance of entertainment and music programs are obliged to organize their program in such a way that:
- Singers and musicians, and members of any band/orchestra respect each other's physical distance of at least 2m and wear protective masks when performing, except for singers and musicians who play wind instruments;
- They provide a physical distance between guests and singers and musicians of at least 4m. If this is not possible, they must separate guests and musicians with transparent plexiglass plates/panels at least 2m high;
- They ensure no games and dancing.
CONSTRUCTION
41. The obligation for legal and private persons who perform construction works is to organize their work in such a way that:
- They ensure respect for epidemiological measures, especially respecting social distancing between employees, alongside other rules for the protection of health at work;
- A visible place on the construction site displays a notice on the prescribed temporary measures for the prevention and control of the new coronavirus;
- All employees who perform construction work on the construction site, during working hours, are prohibited from leaving the construction site to purchase groceries.;
- They deliver food to employees who perform construction work on the construction site;
- During the organized transport of employees to and from the construction site (bus or van), they ensure physical distancing.
STATE ADMINISTRATION - DOCUMENTS
42. Permanent residence permits, temporary residence permits, and temporary residence and work permits for foreigners which have expired, are considered valid until October 7, 2020, if other conditions prescribed by law are met.
43. The Police Directorate is obliged to register foreigners residing in Montenegro on a temporary residence and work permit - following the Law on Foreigners whose stay in Montenegro must not exceed three years - in the Register of visits up to 90 days, without the foreign resident in question being obliged to leave Montenegro, i.e., to obtain a visa.
44. Foreigners whose right to stay for up to 90 days expired after March 15, 2020, following the Law on Foreigners, are allowed to remain in Montenegro until October 7, 2020.
