SERBIA
/The following information has been collected and collated by convergence consulting in collaboration with our in-country Global Alliance Partner. Please let us know if you have additional questions by emailing us at COVID-19@cc-global.com.
1. Does your country’s health authority have guidelines or requirements for when COVID-19 cases are classified work-related and reported as a workplace illness?
COVID-19 is not classified as a work-related illness and is not reported as a workplace illness. Currently, there are no guidelines in this respect.
A symptomatic person with suspected COVID-19 should visit a dedicated “COVID-19 ambulance” at a local municipal health centre where virus testing can be provided. If positive, the case is then reported to local authorities.
2. Is there information on the timing of “return to work” and the process for a worker to return, i.e. examination by a physician, or a negative COVID test?
A person hospitalised or treated for mild symptoms of COVID-19 needs one negative test in order to be discharged, followed by additional 14 days of self-isolation at home. Upon expiration of the 14-days, a second negative test is needed in order to consider the person safe for work.
From the employment perspective, any symptomatic person is considered to be on sick leave and is entitled to receive 65% of their average wage.
3. Does your country’s health authority have COVID-19 mitigation guidelines for the public and/or for business? If so, please list them below and how long they will be in place.
The government of Serbia declared the state of emergency on March 15, 2020 which remains in place until further notice.
The lockdown measures include nationwide curfew for all residents (Mondays through Thursdays 6:00 p.m. – 5:00 a.m. and Fridays from 6:00 p.m. until 5 a.m. on the following Monday). Residents with a medical urgency and those who possess a work permit or special authorisation issued by appropriate authorities are exempt from the curfew restrictions.
All non-essential business are closed. Only supermarkets, pharmacies, gas stations, post offices, banks remain open during the initial lockdown.
On the 27th of April, lockdown measures began to be gradually eased providing that precautionary measures are implemented (sanitation, wearing masks, keeping distance where appropriate, etc). Barbershops, beauty salons, and gyms have reopened.
Starting May 4, inter-city and city public transport will be resumed. Wearing of masks in public transport will be mandatory
Most of the stores and shops have been reopened as well as some retail stores (with surface area up to 300 m2). Outdoor and indoor farmers markets have been reopened.
Shopping malls, cafes, and restaurants plan to open May 8.
Kindergartens are planned open May 11.
International air-traffic is planned to resume May 18.
The recommended precautionary measures for businesses can be found on the website of Chamber of Commerce of Serbia (Serbian only): https://pks.rs/vesti/preporuka-kriznog-staba-privrednim-subjektima-2627 .
More details on the original lock down measures can be accessed online in The Decree on Measures during the State of Emergency (Off. Journal of RS, No. 31/2020, as amended) which can be found at: http://www.pravno-informacioni-sistem.rs/SlGlasnikPortal/eli/rep/sgrs/vlada/uredba/2020/31/1/reg (available in Serbian only). This website link provides access to a number of other relevant documents and guidelines.
4. Which governmental authority issued these guidelines, and are they voluntary or mandatory?
The regulations and orders were issued by the national government and ministries and are mandatory. Guidelines issued by public health institutes are voluntary.
5. Do these mitigation measures have any consequence, such as, if a person does not abide by these measures must they pay a fine or go to jail?
Fines for physical persons for breaching the curfew are in the range between 50,000 RSD to 150,000 RSD (425 EURO to 1,270 EURO).
Fines for legal entities for breaching the measures for prevention of infectious diseases are in the range between 50,000 RSD to 500,000 RSD (425 EURO to 4,250 EURO).
6. Has your country adopted any laws or regulations related to COVID-19?
Serbia adopted a variety of laws and regulations related to COVID-19 and guidelines as listed above, which can be found at: http://www.pravno-informacioni-sistem.rs/fp/covid19 (Serbian only).
The data presented here is not a complete analysis of all COVID-19 information; however, our in-country Partner will provide updates as and when considered appropriate and as relevant data becomes available. If you have any additional questions, or request for country information, please email us at COVID-19@cc-global.com with additional inquiries.
