Health Alert

Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Skopje, North Macedonia (March 31, 2020)

Location: North Macedonia

Event: UPDATE: U.S. Embassy Skopje is aware that there is an Air Pristina flight departing from Pristina International Airport in Kosovo on April 5, 2020 at 11:45a.m. and arriving in Zurich, Switzerland at 1:45p.m. The most current information we have available, as of March 31, 2020, indicates that U.S. citizens may transit Zurich and London Heathrow Airport en route to the United States, as long as they can show that they are booked on a confirmed onward itinerary with the United States as the final destination.

This flight is not available for purchase on the Air Pristina website. It can only be booked through the Alta Via Travel Agency (info@altaviatravel.com).

The border between North Macedonia and Kosovo is currently closed. However, the U.S. Embassy may be able to coordinate with the governments of North Macedonia and Kosovo to enable the transit of U.S. citizens with confirmed tickets directly and solely to the Pristina airport. If you would like to utilize this flight option from Pristina, you must contact the U.S. Embassy Skopje regarding the border crossing.

Passengers will need to show proof of tickets purchased for each leg of their journey back to the United States in order to board the flight to Zurich. Additionally, you will not be permitted to exit the airport terminal in Zurich due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Remember to book your trip all the way through to your final U.S. destination and check transit requirements for each leg of your trip, as restrictions change frequently. Individual travelers are responsible for verifying transit requirements for their entire itinerary. Keep in mind that unexpected flight cancellations, limited flight availability, and transit restrictions have affected many travelers worldwide. If your travel is disrupted en route, please contact your airline to reschedule.

The below websites are from the governments of Switzerland and the United Kingdom and explain the transit requirements and exemptions for both countries. We recommend you print a copy and bring it with you to show to boarding agents if asked.

https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home/aktuell/aktuell/faq-einreiseverweigerung.html

https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa

U.S. Embassy Skopje has suspended routine consular services. For emergency American Citizens Services, including emergency passports, please visit our website for additional information.

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:

Follow the instructions of North Macedonia’s authorities.
Monitor local media and visit the websites of the Government of North Macedonia or Ministry of Health for updated information, including mandatory quarantine measures and travel restrictions which may be implemented with little or no notice.

Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 https://mk.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/covid-19-information/ for information on conditions in North Macedonia.

Read the Centers for Disease Control’s and Prevention guidelines for the prevention of COVID-19 and information on health conditions in North Macedonia.
Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.

Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s websiteon the latest travel restrictions to the United States
Contact the local centers for public health by telephone, prior to visiting a hospital or clinic for medical care, if you believe you may have COVID-19 (or similar symptoms) or were exposed to someone who may have COVID-19 in the last six weeks. North Macedonia’s Institute of Public Health has provided contact numbers along with other advice for travelers on their

Assistance:

U.S. Embassy Skopje

Str. “Samoilova” Nr.21

1000 Skopje

Republic of North Macedonia

+389 2 310-2000

SkopjeACS@state.gov

https://mk.usembassy.gov/