The Serbian parliament adopted amendments to the Act on Protection of Population from Infectious Diseases (Zakon o izmenama i dopunama Zakona zaštiti stanovništva od zaraznih bolesti, “Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia”, no. 136/2020), which has entered into force with immediate effect.
Personal protection measures against infection
The amendments impose on retail businesses the obligation to ensure that patrons wear protective masks while on premises and appoint a person responsible for supervision of the application of the measures. In addition to sanitary inspectorate, communal inspection and police are also given powers to supervise the application of personal protection measures and issue fines, file criminal complaints or initiate misdemeanour proceedings. The authorities may also exceptionally close-down the non-complying outlet for a period of 72 hours. Fines for non-compliance are in the amount of RSD 300,000 (approx. EUR 2,550) for legal entities and RSD 150,000 (approx. EUR 1,275) for entrepreneurs. Responsible person, such as director, is personally liable for a fine in the amount of RSD 50,000 (approx. EUR 425), while the special appointees in charge of overseeing the implementation of the measures can be fined in the amount of RSD 30,000 (approx. EUR 255). Citizens not wearing masks can be fined in the amount of RSD 5,000 (approx. EUR 42.5).
Employees during quarantine or self-quarantine
Non-infected employees suspected of being in contact with infected person and ordered by the sanitary inspectorate to quarantine or self-quarantine shall be from now on considered to be on sick leave upon presenting a decision issued by the sanitary inspector. The same also applies for employed parent or legal guardian of a pre-schooler or person incapable of taking care of herself who is ordered to self-quarantine at home.
