Category: Archive

09 Apr 2020
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Not all human rights can be suspended during the state of emergency – obsolete*

Freedom of movement – the ever-tightening noose Since March 15 when the state of emergency was declared in the Republic of Serbia (“RS“), i.e. since March 18 when the Ministry of Internal Affairs issued the Order Restricting and Prohibiting the Movement of Persons on the Territory of the RS  (“Order“), the measures have been revised multiple several times in a bid to find the most effective way to tackle the coronavirus spread.  April 3 saw the latest amendment to the Order.  Given the abundance of public discourse, it is practically common knowledge what the measures are and who the restrictions, […]

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06 Apr 2020
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New COVID-19 restrictions – ban on beauty salons and casinos – obsolete*

Since the state of emergency was introduced in Serbia on March 15, 2020, authorities have issued a number of decrees regulating – or, better yet, restricting – certain rights of citizens and industry. However, as the public health situation deteriorates from day to day, authorities must keep up with the situation and respond swiftly to new developments by imposing new restrictions. Who are the shutters coming down next?   No beauty salons or gambling during state of emergency In order to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 by minimizing potentially dangerous contacts among members of the public, the Serbian Government […]

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30 Mar 2020
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Tax reliefs in response to the COVID-19 crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina – obsolete*

Bosnia and Herzegovina (“BH”) recently declared a state of emergency due to the coronavirus pandemic, believing this to be the adequate response to the current situation and the best foot forward in helping people cope.  As a part of initiatives to mitigate the ramifications of the coronavirus crisis, both the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (“FBIH”) as well as the Government of the Republic of Srpska (“RS”) announced tax reliefs and similar economic measures to ease the fallout on businesses and the public.   Measures Some measures adopted in FBIH and RS are identical. For example, both […]

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30 Mar 2020
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The COVID-19 outbreak: An overview of measures taken by the authorities of North Macedonia – obsolete*

Many – if not all – states find it necessary to invoke some measures and/or restrict certain rights of their citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic just to stay afloat. Typically, states opt to give some tax reliefs to taxpayers, introduce financial injections to small and medium enterprises, freeze prices, introduce more favorable contractual terms for debt repayments, and, more generally, introduce economic measures to mitigate the consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak. On the other hand, states also opt to limit the freedom of movement by putting specific categories of people into complete lockdown and by introducing mandatory curfews for all […]

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27 Mar 2020
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Covid-19 outbreak: Montenegro enters the lion’s den – obsolete*

The COVID-19 pandemic has finally caught up with the last bastion of Europe: Montenegro.  While no state of emergency is in place, Montenegrin authorities have adopted a series of measures to curb the spread of coronavirus.  Accordingly, the Ministry of Health of Montenegro issued the Order for Measures to Prevent the Introduction into the Country, Combat, and Prevent the Transmission of the New Coronavirus (“Order”).   Movement restrictions Pursuant to the Order: international passenger transport is suspended, except for the arrival of Montenegrin citizens, notified through diplomatic missions and consular posts to the Operational Headquarters of the National Coordinating Body […]

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27 Mar 2020
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Government adopted additional regulation on medical devices – obsolete*

On 24 March 2020, the Government adopted the Regulation on Special Technical Requirements, Standards, and Application of Medical Devices During the Emergency Caused by the COVID-19 Disease, Caused by the SARS-CoV-2 Virus (the “Regulation” ), following recommendations contained in legal norms. This Regulation prescribes specific technical requirements, standards and instructions for medical devices during the state of emergency. It also foresees that medical devices, which were not manufactured following prescribed standards can be used in treatment, provided that the manufacturer or distributor delivers the appropriate documentation to the authorities, which includes the following: a copy of the description of technical […]

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25 Mar 2020
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Tax measures in response to the COVID-19 outbreak – obsolete*

At a session held on 20 March 2020, the Government of the Republic of Serbia (“RS”) adopted a Decree on tax measures to mitigate economic consequences of the COVID-19 disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the state of emergency (“Decree”) which was a co-signed by the President of the RS. The Decree includes tax relief measures and the decision to reduce the default interest rate in order to ease the tightened economic conditions and increase taxpayers’ liquidity during this time of extraordinary economic challenges. The Decree entered into force immediately, i.e. on 20 March 2020, as part of a […]

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23 Mar 2020
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Deadlines in court proceedings on “pause” because of the COVID-19 pandemic – obsolete*

Since the declaration of the state of emergency in Serbia on March 15, 2020, authorities have issued a number of decisions aimed at maintaining order and preventing the economy and the judicial system from collapsing. The latest in line with such protective measures were introduced on March 20, 2020 when the Government adopted the Decree on deadlines in court proceedings during the state of emergency (“Decree”).   What does the Decree stipulate? Although it comprises only three articles, the Decree effectively brings to halt deadlines in most court proceedings as of March 15, 2020. Firstly, the Decree suspends all deadlines […]

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23 Mar 2020
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State of emergency: why you should emerge ahead – obsolete*

The COVID-19 pandemic has already had a tangible impact both on Serbia’s economy and its citizens.  As countries around the world are embroiled in the same fight to stop the virus from spreading and to slow down the contagion rate, many (e.g. Spain, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Italy) declared states of emergency and went into full lockdown, sealing borders and ordering the population into isolation, with permission to leave their homes only to go to work, shop for essentials, such as food, and assist others. Given the current developments and the increasing number of new cases, and sadly, deaths, especially […]

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19 Mar 2020
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Restrictions in the time of COVID-19 – are we free to move? – obsolete*

A state of emergency calls for extreme measures. The COVID-19 virus continued to spread in Serbia despite measures previously taken by the Government, which forced the state’s hand to take even more radical steps to reduce the risk of even greater outbreak. This time around, the state went for severe restriction of freedom of movement in order to save lives.   What do the new restrictions impose? On March 18, 2020 the Ministry of Internal Affairs announced the latest and (so far) most rigorous measures limiting citizen’s freedom of movement in the state of emergency. The measures, popularly dubbed “martial […]

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17 Mar 2020
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COVID -19: State of Emergency & Price Freeze – obsolete*

As the number of global COVID-19 infections continues to surge, Europe is currently considered one of the main hotbeds of the pandemic. According to the World Health Organization, Europe is now reporting more confirmed cases and deaths than the rest of the world combined, excluding China.  As of March 16, Serbia has 55 confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection. Because of this, Serbia imposed a state of emergency on March 15, in an extraordinary constitutional procedure (official gazette announcement is available here).  The sweeping measures include, inter alia, total closure of state borders, school shutdown and imposition of quarantine rules, breaking of […]

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17 Mar 2020
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Decree on Organizing the Activity of Employers During the State of Emergency – What will this change for employers? – obsolete*

After Gecić Law published its guidance and advice to clients on how to arrange their working relationships with employees who are working remotely through the Annex to the Employment Agreement, a binding decision was made by the Government of the Republic of Serbia.  The Government of the Republic of Serbia seemed to be reading our minds and, on March 16, 2020, adopted and published a Decree on Organizing the Activity of Employers during the State of Emergency. This Decree stipulates that during a state of emergency every employer is obliged to enable employees to perform their work tasks outside of […]

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