COVID-19 Information
Last updated: 12/17/2020
Country-Specific Information:
- Travelers are reminded that on August 8, the Department of State issued a Travel Advisory Level 3 for the Republic of North Macedonia advising U.S. citizens to reconsider travel to North Macedonia due to COVID-19.
- On December 15, the Government of North Macedonia adopted temporary measures effective December 18, 2020 until January 20, 2021 to curb the spread of COVID-19 during the holidays. These measures are as follows:
- Catering businesses (i.e. bars and restaurants) are not allowed to serve customers after 6 p.m., except for catering facilities that offer delivery and take-out.
- Hotel restaurants are only allowed to serve their guests until 9:00 p.m. Businesses are still subject to an indoor capacity limitation of 30 percent of the total capacity.
- The government has banned New Year’s celebrations and other holiday gatherings in public squares, plazas, outdoor, and indoor locations. These measures also apply to religious gatherings in houses of worship or any other setting.
- Restrictions have been imposed on short-term rentals for New Year’s events or worship gatherings.
- The government has announced it will take rigorous measures and issue fines in cases where individuals, restaurants, or bars are not strictly observing these protective measures. To ensure compliance of these measures, local enforcement units will increase controls and inspections starting on December 18.
- A comprehensive list of measures may be found at https://www.vlada.mk/node/23565
- On December 16, Parliament extended the current nationwide state of crisis through June 30, 2021 to manage state resources in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
- The Government of North Macedonia banned gatherings of more than four persons in public places 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Exceptions to this rule include families with more than four children, persons waiting for public transportation, and employees conducting official business. A list of exceptions may be found here: https://vlada.mk/node/23153.
- Individuals must practice two-meter social distancing in public and wear a protective face covering in all closed and open public spaces, including markets, shops, banks, post offices, health facilities, and public transport.
- Current statistics on COVID-19 in the Republic of North Macedonia are available in the Macedonian language from the Ministry of Health’s public webpage and the Minister of Health’s official Facebook.
Entry and Exit Requirements:
- Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? Yes
- U.S. citizens are permitted to enter the Republic of North Macedonia with no COVID-19 restrictions or testing requirements.
- Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? No
- Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry? Yes
- At Skopje International Airport, thermal cameras screen both passengers entering the terminal to depart and passengers arriving through passport control. Medical teams from the Institute of Public Health are on site 24 hours to evaluate any persons who register a temperature above 37 degrees Celsius. (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit)
- No health screening is in place at the land borders.
Movement Restrictions:
- Is a curfew in place? No
- Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel? No
Quarantine Information:
- Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? No
- Currently, there are no quarantine orders in effect for North Macedonia.
COVID-19 Testing:
- U.S. citizens may obtain a COVID-19 test from a number of health care providers and laboratories in North Macedonia. Testing fees must be paid by each patient. Information about each testing facility is provided below. Prices range from 1,500 – 6,000 denars, depending on the lab and type of test, and are subject to change. Generally, fees are payable in cash or credit card. Patients are advised to contact each testing location directly for current prices.
- Acibadem Sistina Hospital, Skupi 5A, www.acibademsistina.mk tel: +389-2-3099-500, open 24/7.
- Avicena Laboratory, Bul. 8 Septemvri, 2-1, www.avicenalab.com.mk, tel: +389-2-3179-001.
- Biotek Laboratory, Vasil Gjorgov 12, www.bioteklab.com.mk, tel: +389-2-5300-898, +389-78-394-820.
- Zan Mitrev Clinic, Bledski dogovor 8, www.zmc.mk, tel: +389-2-3091-500.
- Public Health Institute, Virology Department, 50 Divizija, no. 6, iph.mk, tel: +389-2-3125-044.
- Skopje Public Health Center, III Makedonska Brigada 18, cph.mk, tel: +389-2-3298-667.
- Macedonian Academy of Arts and Sciences, Bul. Krste Misirkov 2, P.S. 428, manu.edu.mk, tel: +389-2-3235-400.
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Majka Tereza 19, tel: +389-2-3177-044
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Febrile Conditions, Majka Tereza 17, infektivnaklinika.mk, tel: +389-2-3228-224.
- Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic, Majka Tereza 17, tel: +389-2-3228-440
- Bitola Public Health Center, Partizanska, b.b., 7000 Bitola, cjzbt.org.mk, tel: +389-47-208-100
- Private Health Institution Laboratory for Molecular Diagnostics LAOR, 29 Noemvri nr. 1, 1200 Tetovo, tel: +389-75-273-746
Transportation Options:
- Are commercial flights operating? Yes
- Is public transportation operating? Yes
- Persons using public transportation must wear masks.
- Passenger capacity in public transportation has been limited to 50 percent.
- The maximum occupancy for a taxi has been set at 2 passengers.
Fines for Non-Compliance:
- Individuals must practice two-meter social distancing in public and wear a protective face covering in all closed and open public spaces, including markets, shops, banks, post offices, health facilities, and public transport. There is a ban in place for groupings of more than four persons 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Failure to wear a mask will result in a fine of €20.
- Groupings of four persons or more gathering at any time during the day will receive a fine of €500.
- Self-isolation is mandatory when testing for COVID-19, from the time the test is scheduled, through the testing date, and will continue until test results are reported. This self-isolation continues if the result is positive. The duration of self-isolation for persons testing positive is 10 days for asymptomatic patients and 20 days for symptomatic patients. Patients with questions should consult with local authorities and health care providers.
- People who violate self-isolation will receive a fine of €50.
Consular Operations:
- Currently, limited American Citizen Services are being provided. Notary services are not being provided. For assistance, please contact us at SkopjeACS@state.gov.
- Limited routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa services are being provided. Please contact us at consularskopje@state.gov for assistance.
Local Resources:
- Institute of Public Health of the Republic of North Macedonia
- Institute of Public Health Webpage with Informational Pamphlets on COVID-19 for travelers. (Macedonian, Albanian, and English)
- Announcement on requirement of negative COVID-19 test for entry of citizens from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, and Serbia. In Macedonian and Albanian only.
- Government of North Macedonia
- Skopje Airport and Ohrid Airport Official Websites
- Other links:
