Advice To Refugees And Asylum-seekers In Serbia

The Representation of the UN Refugee Agency in Serbia greatly appreciates the patience and understanding that you have shown during the first two month of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are certain that the fact that you have recognized the gravity of the situation and observed the guidance provided by the Commissariat for Refugees and Migration, other authorities and civil society organisations has been key in keeping you and your families so far healthy.

We applaud you and the responsible authorities of Serbia for yet having kept all Asylum and Reception/Transit Centres in Serbia free of COVID-19 infection. We appeal to you to continue trying your utmost to keep yourself and other residents of the centres safe and healthy by continuing to limit your movements outside of the centres to a minimum.

Now, as restrictions on movement are gradually lifted, we ask you to please continue keeping in mind that the threat of COVID-19 in Serbia has not disappeared. Together, we must proceed with utmost caution to maintain your good health and your still infection-free environment. Your health and safety remain our first and foremost priority.

Therefore, we urge you to continue implementing all the preventive measures conveyed to you by the Serbian authorities, United Nations agencies and their partners:

• Regularly and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water or clean them with an alcohol-based hand rub. Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.
• Maintain minimum 2 metre distance between yourself and others to prevent potential spread of the virus in case you unknowingly find yourself in the vicinity of someone who is infected.
• Avoid crowded places. The Serbian authorities have restricted indoor gatherings to maximum 20 persons, and outdoor gatherings to maximum 50 persons. This is because when people come together in crowds, they are more likely to come into close contact with someone that has COVID-19, and it is more difficult to maintain a necessary physical distance of 2 metres. The Serbian authorities may therefore even arrest and prosecute persons who form or join crowds of more than 50 persons.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth, because if you have touched a contaminated surface it is more likely that you will transfer the virus through your eyes, nose or mouth, and thus get infected.
• Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Immediately inform the camp management or medical staff in your centre in case you show any COVID-19 symptoms – fever, dry cough or tiredness - or you get to know that you have been in contact with any COVID-19 infected persons so that you may get a medical checkup and be tested.

More information on the current COVID-19 related situation in Serbia is available in Arabic, Farsi, Pashto, Urdu and English on https://www.facebook.com/covid19infoforrefugees/posts/125632522412721

Please be aware that all the borders of all the countries neighbouring Serbia –European Union member states and those which are not yet European Union member states – remain completely closed. Do not trust persons telling you otherwise, as these are likely smugglers trying to ruthlessly exploit you, your situation and dreams.

More information about the risks of irregular movement in Arabic, Farsi, Pashto, Urdu and English is available on

https://www.facebook.com/covid19infoforrefugees/posts/125632522412721

To legalise your stay in Serbia, please call

• Belgrade Center for Human Rights, phone: 064-8246508 ili
• Humanitarian Centre for Integration and Tolerance, phone: 064-6577052

which can help you to apply for asylum at the nearest police station.

For more legal or psychosocial advice and support, please access https://www.facebook.com/covid19infoforrefugees/posts/125632522412721

http://azil.rs/en/

If you have already applied for asylum in Serbia and are currently accommodated in one an asylum or reception/transit centre but like to move into private accommodation instead, please call Belgrade Center for Human Rights, phone: 064-8246508

The UN Refugee Agency sincerely thanks you for continuing to maintain highest hygiene and safety for yourself, your families, friends and environment.