New anti-Covid measures, approved two days ago by the Government of Kosovo, come into force today.
The Ministry of Health announces that nightclubs will be closed and family parties, such as weddings and engagements, will be banned.
With the new measures, it is also prohibited to enter public transport without a mask.
Road passenger transport operators are allowed to operate, utilizing full seating capacity, provided staff and passengers wear masks at all times.
Up to two passengers are allowed to travel in the taxi.
Theatres, libraries, orchestras, galleries, ensembles, ballet, cinemas, youth centers, museums, cultural centers with groups or other similar institutions subordinate to MKRS or the Municipalities, are allowed to work using 50% of the space/surfaces relevant facilities for all activities.
The use of fitness facilities, gyms and the like is done in proportion to 1 client per 8m2
A. [Territorial application]
1. This decision applies to the entire territory of the Republic of Kosovo.
B. [Entrances and exits of foreign citizens from the Republic of Kosovo]
2. All citizens who enter the Republic of Kosovo, including those with temporary or permanent residence permits in Kosovo and who come from high-risk countries according to the official list of the National Institute of Public Health of Kosovo (NIPHK) , must have a negative RT-PCR test for COVID-19 done in the last 72 hours.
3. The following are excluded from point 2.:
3.1. Citizens who enter Kosovo through the airport or land border points and leave Kosovo within three (3) hours, through the airport or land border points, provided that at the entrance they sign the declaration that they will leave Kosovo within three (3) hours;
3.2. Citizens who work as professional transporters (drivers), provided that they comply with the protocol for international transport for protection against COVID-19;
3.3. Citizens who pass through Kosovo through organized transport by bus or regular international line, transit, provided that a declaration is signed that they will leave the territory of Kosovo within five (5) hours;
3.4. Foreign diplomats accredited in Kosovo, as well as their families;
3.5. Persons who have a certificate of complete vaccination against COVID-19;
3.6. Person with a positive serological antibody test result - IgG, issued no later than thirty (30) days before arrival.
3.7. Children under the age of eleven (11) years.
C. [Protection and safety at work]
4. Pregnant women are released from the obligation to physically report for work. Public or private employers are instructed to enable you to work from home, as far as applicable.
Ç. [General protection and hygiene measures]
5. Public and private institutions, as well as other entities, are obliged to keep disinfectants for hands and masks in accessible places, at the entrance of the building as well as inside.
6. Public and private institutions, as well as other entities, are obliged to place visible signs of the rules of conduct for protection from COVID-19 at the entrance of each building, including the sign prohibiting entry to the building without masks, as well as respecting of distance.
7. The heads of public and private institutions and other entities are obliged to carry out disinfection and ventilation of closed spaces.
8. It is forbidden to enter the closed premises without a mask.
9. Wearing a mask covering the nose and mouth is mandatory in all cases, except:
9.1. When walking outdoors, only;
9.2. While driving the vehicle, alone, or in groups with no more than four (4) persons;
9.3. During running, cycling and exercise;
9.4. While eating or drinking.
All public and private institutions are obliged to designate an employee to monitor the implementation of the measure defined in point 8.
[Educational institutions]
Public and private institutions of all levels of education continue teaching according to the relevant guidelines for the education sector.
All public and private institutions of all levels of education are prohibited from organizing excursions and group walks.
Dh. [Application for social and pension schemes]
The Ministry of Finance, Labor and Transfers is instructed to release all the beneficiaries of the social and pension schemes, which are managed by the MFPT, from the regular presentation to the relevant offices for the purposes of registration, as required by the relevant laws.
[Restriction of public and private gatherings]
Gatherings in closed spaces (meetings, seminars, trainings) are allowed, provided that 30% of the space's capacity is used. The organizer is obliged to maintain a physical distance of at least 1 meter between people, according to the evidence defined in point 17 of this Decision.
Outdoor gatherings, social gatherings (festivals, concerts, etc.) are allowed, provided that 50% of the space's capacity is used, according to the evidence defined in point 17 of this Decision.
[Night clubs and parties]
From August 20, 2021 to September 1, 2021, the activity of night clubs, weddings, engagements, family parties and prom nights is prohibited throughout the territory of the Republic of Kosovo.
[Access, use and organization of certain activities]
From August 20, 2021 to September 1, 2021, entry to premises where gatherings, gatherings (festivals, concerts), sports and cultural activities with a capacity of more than 100 people, as well as the organization of these activities, are held only if customers/participants possess one of the following certificates:
17.1 Vaccination certificate for complete vaccination or receiving a dose of COVID-19 vaccine;
17.2 RT-PCR negative test for COVID-19, not older than 72 hours;
17.3 Evidence that the person has passed COVID-19 (positive RT-PCR test issued not less than 21 days and not more than 180 days or positive result of serological antibody test - IgG, issued no more than 30 days ago;
17.4 Rapid negative antigen test not older than 48 hours.
From August 20, 2021 to September 01, 2021, one of the certificates mentioned in point 17 must be possessed by all workers within the businesses/activities mentioned in point 17, who are in direct contact with customers.
The responsible persons of the businesses / activities mentioned in point 17, are obliged to appoint a person who will check the possession of at least one of the evidences according to point 17.
Persons under the age of 16 are not required to possess any of the evidence mentioned under point 17.
Gj. [Gastronomy]
Gastronomy services, including restaurants and similar spaces in hotels, are allowed to work until 22:30 and develop their activity in accordance with the relevant guide. In closed spaces, up to 50% of the capacity of the space is allowed to operate. In open spaces, the use of up to 70% of the space capacity is allowed. Surface area is calculated for the area where food and drinks are served.
Premises managers must ensure that the distance between customers at different tables is at least one (1) meter.
The back of one chair should be at least one (1) meter away from the back of the other chair.
In closed spaces, up to 4 people are allowed at the table. If the tables are larger than two (2) meters, then the prerequisite is to use the space respecting the limitation of five (5) people in 10 m2.
Indoor food and beverage service is only allowed for guests who are sitting or standing at a table or counter.
Outdoor spaces up to six (6) persons are allowed at the table, counter or standing tables.
Each table should be equipped with disinfectants containing at least 60-70% alcohol.
Guides should be placed in the external spaces of the premises regarding informing customers about the protocol of measures against COVID-19.
[Shopping centers and other economic operators]
The activity of shopping centers is allowed in accordance with point 8 of this Decision and according to the relevant guide.
All operators, whose economic activity is wholesale and retail trade, are obliged to determine the maximum number of customers in the premises at the same time according to the rule - 1 person per 8 m2. These operators are obliged to mark at the entrance the maximum number of customers allowed at the same time. The area is calculated for the area where customers are allowed to stay.
[Pair work]
The responsible person of the public or private institution and of the economic operators, is obliged to stop lining up or gathering inside and outside the work / business environment, unless there is a physical distance of at least 1.5 meters from other groups of persons.
[Public transport]
It is forbidden to enter public transport vehicles without a mask.
Road passenger transport operators are allowed to operate, utilizing full seating capacity, provided staff and passengers wear masks at all times. Transport operators cannot have more passengers on the bus than they have seats.
Up to two (2) passengers are allowed to travel in a taxi.
[Theatres, libraries, etc.]
Theatres, libraries, orchestras, galleries, ensembles, ballet, cinemas, youth centers, museums, cultural centers with groups or other similar institutions subordinate to MKRS or the Municipalities, are allowed to work using 50% of the space/surfaces relevant facilities for all activities (both during performances and during exercises), in accordance with point 8 and according to the evidence defined in point 17 of this Decision.
[Sports and recreation]
It is allowed to organize sports competitions and trainings regarding the protocols and recommendations of world organizations for organizing sports events and the protective measures of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo.
In competitive activities in closed spaces, the presence of spectators is allowed up to 15% of the capacity of the facility or sports space (sports hall, swimming pool, other closed spaces) respecting the distance of 1.5 meters and other protective measures, in accordance with point 8 and according to the evidence defined in point 17 of this Decision.
In competition activities in outdoor spaces, the presence of spectators is allowed up to 30% of the capacity of the facility or sports space (stadium, swimming pool, other outdoor spaces), respecting the distance of 1.5 meters and other protective measures, in accordance with point 8 and according to the evidence defined in point 17 of this Decision and the respective guidelines.
The race organizers are obliged to undertake specific measures, in compliance with international protocols, for crowd management (fans) before, during and after entering the sports area.
The use of fitness centers, gyms and the like for individual recreational activities is allowed, according to the evidence defined in point 17 of this Decision and the respective guide.
The use of fitness facilities, gyms and the like is done in proportion to 1 client per 8m2, according to the evidence defined in point 17 of this Decision and the respective guide.
It is mandatory to place informative signs and disinfectants (or other means for cleaning) on each fitness equipment with the purpose of awareness and disinfection by each customer after use.
Ll. [Guides and explanations]
The Ministry of Health is obliged to issue temporary, general and special guidelines for the prevention and control of COVID-19, as follows:
43.1. Provisional Guidelines for the Application of General Measures to Prevent and Combat COVID-19;
43.2 Interim Guide for the Personal Services and Business Sector, Industry, Public Administration and NGOs;
43.3 Temporary Guide for educational institutions of all levels;
43.4 Temporary Guide for gastronomy, hotels, sales sector and shopping malls;
43.5 Temporary Guide for Religious Gatherings, Burials, Workshops and Cultural Activities,
43.6 Temporary Guide to Fitness, Gym and Other Recreational and Sports Activities;
43.7 Provisional Guide to Public Transport;
43.8 Temporary Guide for Health Care Institutions;
43.9 Provisional Guidelines for Civil Aviation;
43.10 Temporary Guide for Correctional Institutions, Asylum and Detention Centers for Foreigners;
The guidelines from point 43 are mandatory for all persons and sectors to which they apply.
The Ministry of Health is obliged to issue clarifications on the points of this decision if necessary.
[Implementation]
The Ministry of Health, AUV and the Kosovo Police in cooperation with the municipal emergency staffs are obliged to supervise the implementation of this decision and submit a weekly report to the Office of the Prime Minister (every Friday until 6:00).
The Ministry of Health, ShSKUK and IKShPK are obliged to submit to the Prime Minister's Office the weekly report (every Friday until 16:00) on the implementation of the measures, the situation in the health institutions, the epidemiological situation as well as the forecasts for the following two weeks.
The Ministry of Health is obliged to, based on Law No. 07/L-006 for the Prevention and Combating of the COVID-19 Pandemic, in the territory of the Republic of Kosovo to issue operational decisions, depending on the epidemiological situation and the recommendations of the IKShPK.
The Kosovo Police and the responsible inspectorates are obliged to supervise the implementation of measures, other decisions and relevant guidelines in implementation of Law No. 07/L-006 for Prevention and Combating the Pandemic in the territory of the Republic of Kosovo.
For violators of the measures, the competent bodies are obliged to impose punitive measures according to Law no. 07 / L-006 on Prevention and Combating the COVID-19 Pandemic in the territory of the Republic of Kosovo and other laws in force.
The only authority that can offer an opinion on this decision is the Ministry of Health, while any other institution can provide clarifications for the respective categories to which this decision applies, only after the approval of that clarification by the Ministry of Health.
[Repeal of decision No. 01/25]
Government Decision no. 01/25 dated 12.08.2021.
Nj. [Entry into force]
The decision enters into force on the day of publication in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Kosovo and is valid until 01.09.2021.
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