It is clear now that the COVID-19 pandemic has completely changed the way we go about our daily lives. The expression “new normal” is a hark back to the global economic crisis. However, it seems to have “come to the fore” once again as the global pandemic forces us all to learn how to live in new, vastly different circumstances. 2020 – “Year of the Virus” The world has become a “global village” [1] where it takes just a few hours to travel thousands of kilometers, or for “a trip around the globe”. With humans the main transmitters of infectious […]
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During the state of emergency in Serbia, which lasted from March 15 to May 6, 2020, there was a rule requiring persons entering the Republic of Serbia to self-isolate. The end of the state of emergency saw this rule revoked. However, the ever-changing COVID-19 situation gave rise to new rules regarding special health supervision for citizens of the Republic of Serbia who have recently returned from abroad, which indirectly brings back self-isolation. Namely, since September 18, 2020, a rule has been in place that those returning to Serbia must submit to special health monitoring for 10 days. A Notice issued […]
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Here we bring you a more detailed overview of the State aid package granted to Montenegro Airlines A.D. Podgorica, Montenegro’s national airline. We touched on the topic just a few days ago. Introduction To recap, just days after announcing a EUR 133 million aid package for Montenegro Airlines the country’s national competition and state aid authority, the Protection of Competition Agency (“Agency“), launched an investigation into the State aid package. The Agency’s investigation found that the MEO test conditions had not been fulfilled, therefore qualifying this boost to Montenegro Airlines as State aid. On foot of that finding the Agency […]
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In case you are planning a trip to any of the EU countries, we have news for you. On June 11, 2020, European Commission (“Commission”) published a Communication on the third assessment of the application of the temporary restriction on non-essential travel to the EU strongly encouraging the remaining Member States (those which have not lifted the ban yet) to lift the internal border controls and restrictions to free movement within the EU by June 15, 2020. This is the third sequel of the Commission’s prolongation of travel restrictions into the EU+ area for travelers coming from third countries, however, […]
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Serbia – full border liberalization With the public health situation improving, the Government of Serbia decided on May 19, 2020 that, as of May 22, neither Serbian nor foreign nationals will be required to be in possession of a negative PCR test or a special permit for entry into Serbia. The Government also rescinded the self-isolation measures that were mandatory upon arrival to Serbia, and passengers coming from abroad will instead be handed a memo informing them that the virus is still at large and instructing them how to prevent infection. Additionally, though negative PCR tests are no longer required […]
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During the past month, the EU+ area saw a continuous rise in the number of new cases and deaths caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The impact of the pandemic has worsened since March 16, 2020 when the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the European Council and the Council on a ‘Temporary Restriction on Non-Essential Travel to the EU’ (“Communication”) was adopted, as we informed you (here). The 30-day ban, temporarily restricting all non-essential travel from third countries to the EU, is to expire in just a few days, considering that all Member States (including the Schengen Associated […]
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Many states – if not all – have deemed it necessary to restrict citizens’ rights during the COVID-19 pandemic just to stay afloat. Typically, states opt to limit freedom of movement by placing certain categories of people under what effectively amounts to house arrest and imposing mandatory curfews on the rest, irrespective of age. In that regard, Bosnia and Herzegovina (“BH”) is no exception. While the Council of Ministers of BH declared a “state of natural or other disaster” in recognition of the danger posed by COVID-19, measures that would hopefully slow the advance of the virus were announced by […]
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Many are worried over the expected spike of the COVID-19 infection cases in Serbia over the coming weeks. In light of the introduction of the state of emergency and the looming worsening of the effects of the pandemic, most are focused on preservation of their health, economic welfare and business. However, once the worst of the pandemic passes and life starts returning to normal, it is a question if the economy will be able to breathe a sigh of relief? That is, however, highly unlikely, especially for companies in travel and insurance sectors, as they will find themselves subject to […]
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We are pleased to share the TerraLex Coronavirus Business Response Resource Center with you. It is a compilation of business solution resources from TerraLex members, some of the finest and best ranked firms, from around the globe relevant to contracts, labor, business continuity, etc. TerraLex and its members understand that in the rapidly evolving challenges posed by coronavirus and the prospect of recessionary times ahead, businesses are struggling with a variety of issues and looking to their trusted advisors for help. This Resource Center functions just like our cross-border guides. Visitors can select specific topics of interest and specific jurisdictions […]
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On March 17, 2020, the European Council endorsed a 30-day travel ban to the EU together with a whole range of other boarder management measures. EU Member States commenced with their implementation later that evening. The adopted travel restrictions are initially set to last for 30 days but may be prolonged if necessary. It is noteworthy that not only Member States but also the four associated countries within the Schengen zone (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland) agreed to the travel ban. The adopted Guidelines for border management measures to protect health and ensure the availability of goods and essential services […]
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Hospitality and travel are industries which will unavoidably be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Although Belgrade’s tourism sector was expected to grow in 2020, the global spread of COVID-19 is likely to make a significant dent in the sector’s prospects. In an official announcement on 10 March, Rasim Ljajic, the Serbian Minister of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications, claimed that the 80% of all travel bookings in Serbia in February and March 2020 have been cancelled and that cancellations are also expected in April and May. Ljajic went on to say that the official estimate of expected losses will be discussed […]
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