Albania towards total opening, but the new COVID cases suggest otherwise

 Daughter and mother cycling in Tirana (archive)

 From June 1, Albania will move towards total opening after nearly 13 weeks under strong austerity measures taken to prevent the spread of coronavirus. The Minister of Health, Ogerta Manastirliu, announced today that “the movement of citizens and vehicles throughout the territory will be allowed in all cities. Nurseries and public and private kindergartens will be reopened by implementing approved security protocols. "Land borders will be opened, suspending two-week quarantine as a measure followed by European countries."

Ms. Manastirliu announced also that “from June 1, the beaches will be open, under security measures, according to a plan that includes the entire coastline as a safe area. Beaches by approved areas will be designated with special authorizations by a Provisional Authority set up for this period and will administer permits for the placement of beach equipment through an online application and a special protocol to ensure distance maintenance and hygienic-sanitary conditions on the beaches”.

Sports activities will resume from the beginning of next month. "Sports championships will be allowed, without the presence of the public. Parks, educational and cultural training centers, internet centers according to security protocols, as well as gyms will be opened according to the approved protocols", explained the Minister.

The only activities that will continue behind closed doors will be public transport and cultural activities, cinemas, theaters, nightclubs, swimming pools, mass gatherings, weddings, conferences, public hearings, gatherings of all kinds.

Since the beginning of the epidemic in Albania, 1099 cases of coronavirus have been registered, while 33 people lost their lives. There are currently 215 people still active.

The new cases have increased significantly in the last 4 days after the new hotspots in Tirana, one in a Call center, and the other in the Mother Teresa University Hospital Center. There are 10 cities where it is still actively affected, while more than half of the latter are in the capital.