Kosovo fellow countrymen' arrival continues long ranges of cars across borders

These trips are taking place despite warnings that new restrictive measures against coronavirus will be imposed, aimed at reducing the number of trips during Christmas and New Year's.

Long lines of cars have been seen at the borders between Slovenia and Croatia and also between Hungary and Serbia, while thousands of people have waited for hours to cross the border Friday and Saturday.

Many people from countries like Kosovo, Turkey, Serbia, Northern Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina work and live in Western European countries. They traditionally return home with cars during the holiday season, but also during summer holidays.

Several European Union states, which have large communities of immigrant workers, have established measures of mandatory testing for coronavirus and isolation measures once they return from their countries of origin, hoping these measures will lead fewer people to travel during this period.

The Western Balkan countries on a daily basis report on high rates of infection, and hospitals throughout the region are overloaded with patients seeking medical assistance. Visits by family members living abroad usually make people more contact during family recreation, which potentially, according to experts, can lead to greater spread of the virus.

In addition to the long lines created by citizens leaving for the holiday season, delays at the border have been caused by Serbia's decision to ask for negative tests of coronavrus, all citizens entering the state. Those who enter Serbia, and who have no negative test, must be isolated for ten days.