Following the Dec. 4 official kickoff, thousands of skiers from across the EU, the Balkans, and the country slalomed through fresh snow on Bosnian mountain slopes. The Balkans saw a majority of their ski resorts open over the week, although they had much tighter access and capacity restrictions due to the pandemic.
The 1984 Winter Olympics were held on the Jahorina-Bjelasnica mountains in Sarajevo. There were long lines at the ski lifts, and many international and local guests gathered at cafes, both indoors or outdoors. Some even enjoyed a nightly concert.
To enter Bosnia, travelers from the European Union must have a negative predeparture PCR and proof that they have been vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19. This rule is not applicable to citizens of Montenegro, Serbia, and Croatia.
Once a person arrives in Bosnia, however, they do not need to show proof of vaccination, recent recovery, or a negative test to be allowed to use the bars, restaurants, bars, or cultural venues. Although indoor mask-wearing and social ditancing are mandates, they are not enforced.
"We feel very secure here. "Despite the pandemic, conditions are generally good," Sejla Ibric said. She drove more than 160 km (100 miles) to Jahorina to enjoy the first ski weekend.
Managers of Jahorina, Bjelasnica and Bjelasnica resorts are aware that COVID-19 is spreading rapidly and require mask-wearing. They also recommend reducing the capacity of ski lifts. To accommodate guests' pandemic-related requirements, additional steps were taken.
Dejan Ljevanic is the Jahorina's general manager. He says that they have a PCR testing lab and guests can have their samples taken in their rooms if they need a negative test. He added that ski-pass holders are eligible for a refund if they become infected.
Bosnia, which has vaccinated just slightly more than 24% of its 3.3million inhabitants, has been reporting 600 new cases and 30 COVID-19-related deaths per day. There have been more than 12,900 deaths from the pandemic.
Many countries in the vicinity of Bosnia, which all have higher vaccination rates, are experiencing rapidly rising daily infections and stricter restrictions on their daily lives. The Czech Republic and Slovakia are two EU member countries that have been experiencing record numbers of new infections per day. Slovakia is currently under lockdown. For most public spaces, mandatory COVID-19 cards were issued in Slovenia and Croatia, both EU members. To keep up with COVID-19 death, graveyard workers in Serbia had to work an additional day each week.
Mili Planincic, a Croatian woman, said that things were going downhill back in the home, but here it felt as if it didn't exist. She was about to ski down Jahorina's slope.
He said that people are "relax, but they are also keeping within reasonable limits" in order to stop the spread of the disease.
Milomir Zele, a Serbian citizen, stated that visitors should take all precautions.
"One must be cautious, to wear a mask and to get vaccinated before going to work. He said that they did all of this.
Tine Salomon, a Slovenian resident, agreed that there shouldn't be any problem if people behave responsibly. The snow is beautiful and we are outside.
Due to Bosnia's low virus transmission rates and relaxed anti-virus restrictions, both Jahorina and Bjelasnica ski resorts saw record numbers last winter. Last March saw a significant virus spike and an increase in COVID-19-related deaths in Bosnia.
"We expect the ski season this year to last between 4 1/2 and 4 1/2 months. It would be amazing if we could repeat the last season," Jasmin Mehic said, general manager at the Bjelasnica skiing resort.
He said, "We expect that the (antivirus) restrictions won't get too severe, but we will still respect harsher restrictions if they are introduced by (health authorities)."
