Every Friday evening, hundreds of thousands of senior citizens across Serbia set their alarm clocks for an unusual hour. They prepare to wake up at 2 a.m. because, under strict COVID-19 lockdown measures, those older than 65 are only permitted to leave their homes between 3 a.m. and 8 a.m. on Saturday mornings. For the remaining 163 hours of the week, they are confined to their homes.
The Serbian government has implemented these drastic measures to protect the elderly, who are particularly vulnerable to the novel coronavirus. Officials fear that if COVID-19 were to spread widely among the senior population, the country’s already strained healthcare system would be overwhelmed.
This generation of Serbians is no stranger to adversity. Many still remember the horrors of World War II, the tumultuous breakup of Yugoslavia, periods of famine, and the NATO bombings of the late 1990s. However, enforced confinement is an entirely new challenge for them.
While volunteers across the country have mobilized to deliver essentials like food and medication, it is the pervasive loneliness that affects the elderly the most. Authorities have advised children and grandchildren to avoid visiting their older relatives to minimize the risk of infection.
In urban areas, many senior citizens reside in apartment buildings without access to outdoor spaces. Social interactions, walks, and spending time with friends and family are integral parts of their daily lives—activities that are now severely restricted.
The isolation is taking a toll on their mental and emotional well-being. Community organizations are exploring ways to provide support, including regular phone calls and virtual meet-ups, but challenges remain in reaching those without access to technology.
As the pandemic continues, Serbia’s seniors are adjusting to this new reality, drawing on their resilience and hoping for a return to normalcy.
Reference(s):
Serbia's senior citizens adjust to a life behind closed doors
cgtn.com
