Bosnian ski resorts benefit from loose anti-virus measures
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina (AP) – As most European countries impose new restrictions to curb the spread of the omicron variant, Bosnia is taking a relatively laissez-faire approach to growing COVID-19 infections in the region, much to the delight of the winter tourism industry.
Last week, after the official start of the season on December 4, thousands of skiers from all over the country, the Balkans and the European Union happily set out on a slalom trail through the fresh snow on the mountain slopes of Bosnia. Most ski resorts in the Balkans have also reopened in the past week, but with much stricter capacity and access restrictions due to the pandemic.
In the Jahorina and Bjelašnica mountains near Sarajevo, the host of the 1984 Winter Olympics, long, narrow queues formed along the cable cars, and domestic and international guests gathered in both indoor and outdoor cafes, and some even attended an evening music concert.
Passengers coming to Bosnia from the European Union, except from Croatia, must have a negative PCR test before departure and proof of recent vaccination or recovery from COVID-19 in order to enter the country. Citizens of Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro are exempt from this rule.
However, when a person is in Bosnia, he or she does not have to provide proof of vaccination, recent recovery or a recent negative test to access ski resorts, restaurants, bars or cultural venues. While mandates for wearing masks indoors and social distancing apply, their enforcement remains random.
“We feel very safe here. The conditions are generally good, despite the pandemic, “said Sejla Ibric, who drove over 160 kilometers to Jahorina with her husband to enjoy the first ski weekend of the season.
The managers of the Jahorina and Bjelašnica ski resorts, which form the backbone of BiH’s winter tourist resorts, say some precautionary measures are being taken to slow the spread of COVID-19, including the mandatory wearing of masks and reduced capacity in ski lifts. Additional measures have been taken to adapt to the specific needs of pandemic-related guests.
“We have our own PCR testing laboratory and we can take samples in our rooms for guests who need a negative test to return to the country,” says Dejan Ljevanic, Jahorina’s general manager. The resort also provides a refund of the purchase price to ski pass holders if they become infected, he added.
Bosnia – which has fully vaccinated just over 24% of its 3.3 million people – records about 600 new cases and 30 deaths due to COVID-19 late. The pandemic recorded more than 12,900 deaths due to COVID-19.
Most countries near Bosnia – all of which have significantly higher vaccination rates – are seeing rapidly rising daily infections and stricter restrictions in their daily lives. In the Czech Republic in Slovakia, two EU members recently reported record new infections per day, and Slovakia is in national prison. Mandatory COVID-19 passes for access to most public spaces were introduced last month in Croatia and Slovenia, which are also members of the EU. In Serbia this autumn, diggers of cemeteries in Belgrade had to work every extra day week to follow the deaths due to COVID-19.
“Regarding the virus, it is going downhill, but here it feels as if it does not exist,” said Mili Planinčić from Croatia, who was preparing to slide down the ski slope on Jahorina.
“People are relaxed but at the same time stick to reasonable limits” to prevent the spread of infection, he added.
Others, such as Milomir Zele of Serbia, said visitors were obliged to take the necessary precautions.
“One has to be careful, wear a mask and get vaccinated beforehand. We did all this, ”he said.
Tine Salomon from Slovenia agreed: “If people act responsibly, there should be no problems. We are outdoors and the snow is good, idyllic. ”
Last winter, both the Bjelašnica and Jahorina ski resorts recorded record numbers due to the relatively low rate of virus transmission in BiH compared to the rest of the region and its moderate approach to anti-virus restrictions. However, the peak of the ski season in Bosnia in March last year was followed by a large increase in the virus and an increase in deaths due to COVID-19 in the country.
“This year we expect the ski season to last from 4 to 4 1/2 months. It would be spectacular to repeat last year’s season, “said Jasmin Mehic, general manager of the Bjelašnica ski resort.
“We expect that (anti-virus) restrictions will not be too strict, although we will also respect stricter restrictions if (health authorities) decide to introduce them,” he added.
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Sabina Nikšić from Sarajevo contributed to this story.
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