How Montenegro is getting going again after lockdown

As I reflect, it seems to me that Montenegro was quick to react early on in the crisis, which may account in part to the low number of cases.  Even before the first 3 cases were reported on 17 March 2020, public gatherings were banned, schools and restaurants closed, along with several of their border crossings with neighbouring countries (March 13).  This was swiftly followed the next day by the suspension of all Montenegro Airlines flights and international bus and rail lines.

Montenegro eases restrictions of lockdown

Fast forward 2 months and now we see Montenegro slowly getting itself moving again.

Measures we are seeing elsewhere are also being enforced in Montenegro. In bars and restaurants, employees will have to wear face masks, there will be a max 4 people per table (except for families), with a min 2 meters (or a screen) between tables, hands will have to be cleaned on entrance/exit and there will be no self-service or standing at the bar. 

More may be revealed about what travel will look like in Europe when the EU meets in June.

The good news for me personally too is that my project manager and builder is able to start work on my apartment renovation again (only 3 days of work left apparently!)  It’s just a shame that I don’t know when I will actually be able to get to Montenego to see it finished.  As I’ve mentioned before, I have been anxious to know when I can travel to Montenegro again, having had to cancel a big road trip there planned for April this year.

But when this will be, is anyone’s guess.

What about travel to Montenegro after lockdown

As it stands at the moment, foreigners are prohibited from entering Montenegro (except those with permanent or temporary residence there). And many road borders with neighbouring countries such as Serbia and Bosnia and Hercegovina are still closed.

The European Commission has recommended that Schengen Member States and Schengen Associated States have a temporary restriction on non-essential travel to the EU until 15 June. Although Montenegro is not a Schengen member nor an EU country yet, it is making progress towards EU membership.  My bet is that when it comes to foreign travel it will look closely to what the EU are doing and in particular its EU neighbour, Croatia, which likewise has not had the levels of cases and deaths that we ‘ve seen in UK, Italy and Spain.

More may be revealed about what travel may look like in Europe when the EU has its next summit on 18-19 June 2020. I will certainly be watching with interest what comes out of it.  There’s talk of some countries opening up a “safe corridor” for travel with countries who have been similarly impacted by the Coronovirus.  My guess is that Montenegro may open up first to foreign travellers in this way – so this might mean a corridor with countries, such as Serbia, Croatia and Greece.

But who knows what may happen when it comes to opening its doors to the UK and other countries. Many countries in Europe are keen to get tourists in again to support revival of their hard hit economies – Montenegro, I am sure, will be no exception as it relies heavily on tourism.

Easyjet and Ryanair (who both fly to Montenegro) may well be up and running by the summer.  But I’m still holding out for a road trip in August 2020, driving across Europe to Montenegro, rather than flying (if these countries will let me in, that is).

But we shall have to wait and see. Looks like I – and many others keen to get back to Montenegro – will just have to be patient for a little longer.