IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR ALL HOLIDAYMAKERS IN MONTENEGRO

Montenegro will be celebrating Statehood Day on July 13 and 14, during which time business hours and operations will be affected.

PHOTO: SeeSrpska

According to the Law on State and Other Holidays, Statehood Day is celebrated on July 13 and 14. However, since July 13 falls on a Sunday this year, the official non-working days will be Sunday, July 13, Monday, July 14, and Tuesday, July 15, as announced by the Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Dialogue of Montenegro.

"State institutions, local government bodies, public institutions, public enterprises, and other entities performing activities of public interest are obliged to ensure the continuation of services whose interruption could have harmful consequences for citizens or the state," the ministry stated.

The Ministry of Economic Development reminded all wholesalers and retailers of the obligation to observe the ban on trade on public holidays, including Statehood Day.

“We remind all businesses engaged in wholesale and retail trade that they must comply with Article 35a, Paragraph 1 of the Law on Domestic Trade, which prohibits trade on Sundays and during public holidays as defined by law,” the ministry said.

Exceptions apply: wholesale and retail trade may continue on Sundays and public holidays in pharmacies; specialized shops or kiosks selling bread, baked goods and cakes, flowers, souvenirs, newspapers, plant protection products, or funeral supplies; gas stations and retail shops within gas stations; as well as marketplaces, stalls, showcases, vending machines outside markets, and mobile shops.

Sales may also continue in shops, kiosks, and vending machines located within bus and train stations, airports, and ports. Additionally, trade is permitted at stalls and kiosks selling goods during events such as fairs, festivals, and film screenings, as well as in wholesale storage facilities.

“Specialized shops or kiosks, under Paragraph 2, Item 2 of this Article, are defined as shops or kiosks that predominantly sell one type of product,” the Ministry clarified.

The ministry also announced that market inspectors will be conducting inspections during the holidays and will take legal action against traders who fail to comply with the relevant provisions of the law, according to cdm.me.