Health Alert

Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Skopje, North Macedonia (July 17, 2020) 

Location:  North Macedonia 

Event:  Austrian Airlines has suspended flights to North Macedonia. 

UPDATEAustrian Airlines announced that starting July 16, flights from several countries including North Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Kosovo, Montenegro, and Serbia among others will be suspended.   This decision was made in response to an order from the Austrian Health Ministry.  No information has been given as to when services will resume.   

REMINDERTravelers are reminded that Skopje and Ohrid Airports resumed operation on July 1.  Available flights to and from each airport may be limited and schedules are subject to change and cancellation with little to no warning.  Travelers are strongly encouraged to contact their airlines or travel agents for the most accurate up to date information on flight schedules.  

TAV Macedonia, the managing company for both airports, has announced several new requirements for departing passengers, including arrival at the airport no less than three hours prior to their flights, wearing protective mask at all times, maintaining social distance, and keeping a high degree of personal hygiene.  Travelers displaying symptoms of COVID-19 infection such as a fever of 37.3 C (99.1 F) or higher and coughing may not be permitted to enter the airport and board their flights.   

As new requirements may be implemented with little to no notice, travelers are recommended to check the websites of Skopje Airport (http://skp.airports.com.mk) and Ohrid Airport (http://ohd.airports.com.mk) along with their airline carriers for the most up-to-date information.    

New restrictions on movement or social distancing regulations may be put in place with little or no notice.  Monitor local media and visit the websites of the Government of North Macedonia or Ministry of Health for updated information        

Border information and requirements may change with little or no notice.  Travelers are advised to monitor the official government websites of neighboring countries for the most up-to-date information regarding their border status and local conditions, including airport operating status.  U.S. Embassy COVID-19 information pages and travel alerts for neighboring countries can be found on the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov 

U.S. Embassy Skopje has suspended routine consular services.  For emergency American Citizen Services, including emergency passports, please visit our website for additional information.  We encourage you to use the SkopjeACS@state.gov email to communicate with us.  

The State Department issued a Level 4 Global Health Advisory on March 19, 2020, recommending U.S. citizens avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19 or prepare to remain abroad for an indefinite period. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 3 Global Travel Alert to avoid nonessential travel due to coronavirus. 

Actions to Take: 

Assistance: