Increase in number of coronavirus cases in Serbia - Greece closes border
coronavirus
05 Jul 2020
/ 17:30
ATHENS. Greek Government concerned about the increase in the number of cases in Sebia.
Deputy Government spokesperson Aristotelia Peloni announced on Sunday that from Monday all Serb nationals will be prohibited from coming into Greece at all entry points. She said that the only exceptions will be for "absolutely essential reasons".
"The government in cooperation with the relevant authorities is closely monitoring and evaluating the epidemiological situation in the EU and the rest of the world on a daily basis," said Ms. Peloni.
"In this regard Greece in cooperation with its EU partners has the right to review its policy," she added. "Based on the new epidemiological data it was decided to suspend the entry of Serbian nationals to Greece from 06:00 on Monday, 6 July until 15 July at all entry points. The only exceptions will be for absolutely essential reasons."
State of emergency in Serbia
On Friday Serbia declared a state of emergency in the capital city Belgrade following an increase in the number of cases of coronavirus.
Lockdown measures have been applied to prevent the spread of the virus. The Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić announced that from 06:00 tomorrow Greece is closing its borders to Serbian nationals.
"The Greek Prime Minister's Office informed the Serbian Embassy in Athens," Mr Dačić told the Serbian news agency, "that from tomorrow Greece is closing its borders to Serbian citizens except for absolutely essential reasons, which will be given special permission."
The Serbian Foreign Ministry called on citizens who were planning on travelling to Greece not to go ahead in order to avoid problems.
Serbian Minister of Tourism, Trade and Telecommunications Rasim Ljajic told the private N1 TV channel that “Greece is closing its borders due to the epidemiological situation in Serbia and the fact that many Serbian tourists were tested positive.”
"The government in cooperation with the relevant authorities is closely monitoring and evaluating the epidemiological situation in the EU and the rest of the world on a daily basis," said Ms. Peloni.
"In this regard Greece in cooperation with its EU partners has the right to review its policy," she added. "Based on the new epidemiological data it was decided to suspend the entry of Serbian nationals to Greece from 06:00 on Monday, 6 July until 15 July at all entry points. The only exceptions will be for absolutely essential reasons."
State of emergency in Serbia
On Friday Serbia declared a state of emergency in the capital city Belgrade following an increase in the number of cases of coronavirus.
Lockdown measures have been applied to prevent the spread of the virus. The Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić announced that from 06:00 tomorrow Greece is closing its borders to Serbian nationals.
"The Greek Prime Minister's Office informed the Serbian Embassy in Athens," Mr Dačić told the Serbian news agency, "that from tomorrow Greece is closing its borders to Serbian citizens except for absolutely essential reasons, which will be given special permission."
The Serbian Foreign Ministry called on citizens who were planning on travelling to Greece not to go ahead in order to avoid problems.
Serbian Minister of Tourism, Trade and Telecommunications Rasim Ljajic told the private N1 TV channel that “Greece is closing its borders due to the epidemiological situation in Serbia and the fact that many Serbian tourists were tested positive.”
