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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Government tightens measures to curb coronavirus

Belgrade, 21 March 2020

The Serbian government passed at its session today the latest decisions aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19 virus.

Public transport on the territory of the Republic of Serbia shall stop operating as of tonight at 20.00. This decision does not apply to cabs, passenger vehicles (own transportation) and transportation for employees.

The exemption from the ban on public transport is possible only on the basis of a special permit.

The ban on movement from 20.00 to 05.00 the next day has been altered for Sundays, in a way that citizens over the age of 65 can leave their homes from 03.00 to 08.00 to buy grocery or pharmacy supplies.

For all persons under the age of 65, the period of prohibition of movement changes for Saturdays, when movement will be prohibited from 20.00 to 03.00.

The operation of all facilities and shops within shopping malls is prohibited, except for grocery stores and pharmacies.

Spending time in all parks and public spaces intended for recreation and sport is prohibited, starting from 20.00 today.

The prohibition of public gatherings in a closed space has been made stricter, not allowing more than 5 persons to stay in a closed space.

With regard to the establishments selling food and beverages, a decision was made on specific measures for providing services in the field of retail trade, which covers the sale of food and beverages. This does not imply the closure of such establishments, however it is forbidden for customers to consume the purchased food and drinks within the establishment or in the garden of the establishment.

This means that a citizen can buy food and drinks "to take", but they cannot consume the purchased food and drinks at a table or at the bar in the establishment or in the garden of the establishment.

The point of this decision is to ban the entry of citizens into establishments selling food and drinks and in the gardens of such establishments, all with the aim of protecting them from the COVID-19 virus.

If the owner of the establishment selling food and beverages wants to do business during the state of emergency, they must establish a delivery service for food and drinks to take or set up a counter through which the food and drinks would be sold without the customers entering the establishment. In doing so, workers in the establishment must be equipped with appropriate hygiene and technical equipment to prevent the spread of the infectious disease.

Therefore, this decision applies not only to restaurants and cafes, but also to other entrepreneurs (betting shops, car wash shops, game rooms) that allowed users of their services to consume food and drinks that they either buy or receive for free at a table or at the bar.