AP: Huge crowds on Balkan borders despite virus warnings – Society



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Long convoys of cars are on the borders of Slovenia and Croatia, and Hungary and Serbia, and thousands of passengers have been waiting for hours to cross the border, according to AP.

Many people from Turkey, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina live and work in Western Europe, and traditionally drive home on vacation.

Some EU member states, which employ many migrants, have introduced the obligation to have a negative test for the corona virus and an isolation measure upon return, in the hope that it will deter them from traveling to countries with a large number of infected people.

With the usual crowds at the borders before Christmas, today’s chaos was likely fueled by Serbia’s decision to introduce the obligation to have a negative test for the corona virus for foreigners entering the country as of Monday, according to the AP.

Citizens of Serbia without a negative test for the corona virus must be in isolation for 10 days after entering the country.

Croatian Radio Television reported today from the border with Slovenia that drivers were shouting to protest spending the night in cars.

An anonymous man traveling from Germany to Serbia told the Croatian portal Indeks that it took him 15 hours to travel 15 kilometers.

Croatia has introduced the obligation to have a negative corona virus test for its citizens returning to the country, which has slowed down border controls.

Vehicle convoys were also formed at the border crossings between Croatia and Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

RTS stated that passengers waited at least four hours at the Serbia-Hungary crossing last night and today.

The Balkan countries report thousands of new corona infections with the virus every day, and hospitals are full throughout the region, AP recalls.

Visits from relatives from abroad, as they say, tend to generate more family contacts and gatherings, which can contribute to a further spread of the virus.

AMSS: Waiting at the entrance at border crossings up to an hour

Vehicles at the Horgos and Kelebija border crossings wait at the entrance for 45 minutes, and at Batrovci and Sid for an hour, the Serbian Automotive Association (AMSS) announced.

AMSS advised drivers to drive carefully, especially in sections where visibility is reduced due to fog and fog.

Construction is underway on numerous sections, so driving carefully here too.

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