Serbia has been removed from the FCO’s safe travel list, having originally been included in the line-up of countries which travellers could visit without the need to quarantine on return.
Serbia was one of two countries, alongside Spain, which were omitted from the UK government’s list by the Scottish administration when it published its own guidance on Wednesday.
It had originally appeared on both the government’s ‘safe travel’ list, meaning visitors did not need to quarantine on return, and a separate list published by the FCO of countries which were exempt from blanket guidance against all but essential travel.
The change in advice came on Friday as the new rules on quarantine requirements were introduced.
A Foreign Office advisory update said: “The FCO now advise against all but essential travel to Serbia, based on the current assessment of Covid-19 risks.
“Serbia is no longer exempt from the FCO advice against all non-essential international travel. The Coronavirus page has updated information on local measures and healthcare.”
The FCO’s advice page for Serbia added: “Emergency situations related to a growth in Covid-19 infection have been declared in over 20 municipalities across Serbia, including Belgrade. In these locations it may be difficult to access satisfactory healthcare for any medical issue, including Covid-19.”
The next official review of the safe list is on July 27. However, the government has insisted that it will remove any countries should they be deemed to pose an increased risk.
Transport secretary Grant Shapps said on Monday: “We will keep the conditions in these countries and territories under review. If they worsen we will not hesitate to reintroduce self-isolation requirements.”