Emergency State Ends Amidst Frightful Spread of COVID-19 in Albania

TIRANA – Albania has lifted the emergency situation amidst serious warnings by local health authorities of the ongoing threat of the coronavirus pandemic in an effort to raise the awareness of the people to abide by the anti-Covid- 19 measures.

“The lifting of the emergency situation does not diminish the vigilance on the part of medical staff and the Ministry of Health. All the anti-Covid 19 measures will continue to be in force,” said Health Minister Ogerta Manastirliu on June 23 which was the deadline of the emergency situation.

There has been talk of an eventual prolongation of the lockdown in face of the high increase of the infected people with COVID- 19 over the last ten days which is considered by some specialists as the second wave of the pandemic.

Manastirliu appreciated the work of the medical staff, epidemiologists, national emergency and all health structures, which continue to be on standby to cope with the COVID-19 situation.

“I also want to share with you the ongoing plan for coping with the situation in health structures, hopeful that we will continue to have the understanding of each of you in the implementation of safety rules and protocols, to protect your health and our health system,” the Minister.

Being concrete she said that gatherings of any kind continue to be banned as a high risk for the spread of the virus. Also, according to her, the persons confirmed with COVID-19 will continue to be quarantined and other measures in force aiming at preventing the spread of the infection will continue to be applied.

Structures of Task-Forces and anti-Covid bodies will continue to be engaged non- stop in the entire territory of the country and any violation of the rules will be considered a threat to the health of the population.

“Social distancing, wearing face masks and personal hygiene are the only available weapons for us to avoid the spread of this dangerous virus which is still present,” she said.

Speaking of the hospital system the Minister said measures had been taken to have them in efficiency and prevent any overload caused by the infection.

Referring to public transportation Manastirliu said the experts committee decided to lift the ban on it but there will be relevant protocols for its functioning. “The Technical Committee of Experts has decided to re-open public transport, but only under strict protocols, already approved, which make mask wearing for those who serve or citizens who use public transport mandatory and as such no breach of law will be tolerated.”

As the Minister was announcing the lifting of the lockdown, the daily figures on the epidemics’ situation were worrisome with 52 new cases confirmed, which is a significant increase as compared with 33 cases a day before. In the meantime, there are 81 persons hospitalized and 11 of them are in intensive care.  The highest number of the infections was registered in Tirana (22) followed by Vlora (7). The number of active affected people stands at 807 mainly in Tirana, Shkodra and Durres./argumentum.al