COVID-19 pandemic in Montenegro

On 12 January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that a novel coronavirus was the cause of a respiratory illness in a cluster of people in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, which was reported to the WHO on 31 December 2019.[9][10]

The case fatality ratio for COVID-19 has been much lower than SARS of 2003,[11][12] but the transmission has been significantly greater, with a significant total death toll.[13][11]

As of 16 July, a total of 28,219 tests have been performed in Montenegro for COVID-19 (44,792 tests per million inhabitants).[44]

Of the 26 deaths, 20 were caused by COVID-19 and 6 were caused by either complications from COVID-19 or from other diseases. All deceased people have been male, with an average age of 70.

The 1,965 confirmed cases had an average age of 41, 56% of them were male and 44% of them female.

The most recent case was discovered on 4 May 2020.

As of 24 May 2020, Montenegro had no active cases, until 14 June 2020.

Since 14 June 2020 to 30 June 2020, of the 224 new cases, 176 were imported cases and 3 deaths.

Country-Specific Information:[46][47]

The Government of Montenegro announced an initial round of precautionary measures on March 13 designed to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19. Subsequent measures have also been introduced. People found to be in violation of the regulations can be fined and/or arrested, and sentenced to up to a year in prison. Some of the measures include:

· Masks are required to be worn in all enclosed public spaces (e.g. shops, banks, etc.)

· Extension of the validity of expired permanent and temporary residence permits and tourist visas until 1 July. For information about extending a tourist visa, contact the Ministry of Internal Affairs office at 020-245-663 between 07:00 and 15:00 on workdays for more information

· Clothing stores, book stores, hair salons, fitness centers, shops, craft workshops, dental offices, driving schools, rent-a-car agencies, museums, and galleries, are reopened with obligatory social distancing and mask measures.

· Beaches are open. An area of 16 m² will be delineated for each set of two deck chairs and one sunshade. The same rule applies to those who wish to use their own beach towels to lay on the beach. Deck chairs and other equipment will be disinfected on a daily basis.

· Individual sporting activities are allowed in public spaces, with obligatory social distancing measures. Group sporting activities are also allowed with up to 200 spectators who must still maintain social distancing measures.

· Internal maritime transport is reinstated for people and goods, with appropriate prevention measures, including the wearing of masks. Recreational maritime transport is also allowed.

· Religious rites are allowed under certain strict conditions, including:

– A maximum of one person per 10m ², inside the religious edifice;

– People must maintain a minimum of two meters distance between themselves;

– The maximum number of people allowed inside must be posted at the entrance;

– Everyone except for the religious leader giving rites must wear masks; and

– Hand disinfectant must be provided at each entrance and exit, and should be used by all who enter

· The maximum number of individuals gathering in people's homes is 20 persons

· All schools and universities remain closed.

Daycare centers are permitted to reopen under conditions.

Public gatherings (including weddings and funerals) are allowed outdoors and indoors, with the attendance of no more than 200 people, who are obliged to respect a physical distance of at least two meters and other recommendations, in accordance with corresponding instructions of Public Health Institute of Montenegro.

Cinemas and theaters are reopened.

Montenegro Airlines has announced that commercial flights will resume with limited destinations on or about 15 June.

· The movement of goods into Montenegro, as well as in transit to other countries, remains unhindered, but subject to special sanitary health controls.

· Limiting the number of customers in relation to the size of a retail outlet. Only one customer at a time is allowed in a retail space less than ten square meters. In a retail outlet larger than ten square meters, regardless of surface, there can be no more than 50 customers at one time.

· Obligation of commercial establishments to post a notice at their entrance indicating the maximum number of persons allowed inside at the same time and to implement these measures by providing the space and marking a distance of at least two meters between persons waiting to enter or checkout.

· Limiting the number of customers who can be in a market (i.e. farmer's/green market) to 100.

· Validity of expired driver's licenses is automatically extended if the driver possesses a valid insurance policy and proof of valid vehicle technical inspection until 1 July.

· Employers are encouraged to allow staff to continue teleworking when possible and to allow flexible scheduling for parents of children under 11 years old.

· Obligation of commercial establishments to ensure the implementation of health protection measures for their employees, as prescribed by the Institute of Public Health of Montenegro.

· Enforcing epidemiological measures for people performing construction, including social distance between employees and other measures of occupational health and safety.

· Suspension of the 2 euro fee for official birth certificates.

Montenegro Entry and Exit Requirements:

Land Borders with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Serbia, Kosovo and Croatia are opened. No testing required for crossing into Montenegro, 14-day quarantine is required for visitors entering from countries with >25 confirmed cases on 100,000 population.

• COVID-19 pandemic by country and territory
• COVID-19 pandemic in Europe

• Institute for Public Health of Montenegro