Latest News from Albania
Serbia Closed its Borders and Introduced a State of Emergency because of COVID-19
Serbia closed its borders last night and declared a state of emergency. This is also the case in Romania today.
Greece has banned cruise ships from entering ports and terminated its transport links with Spain, Italy, Albania and Northern Macedonia, which in turn mobilized all available medical personnel.
Albania Adopts Punitive Fines for Breaching Coronavirus Restrictions
A patient being sent to the Shefqet Ndroqi Hospital for Lung Diseases in Tirana on Sunday. Photo: Malton Dibra/LSA
Prime Minister Edi Rama said that anyone who complains about the heavy fines should understand that the penalties are "not [meant] to collect money for the state, but to protect the people from violations that threaten their health in this war situation".
Greece closes borders with Albania, North Macedonia, PM to brief party leaders
In yet another drastic measure to contain the corona virus Greece today sealed its borders with Albania and North Macedonia one day after the two countries closed their borders with Greece even as the government announced additional restrictive measures.
Further restrictions to travel; cruise ships banned
Greece has decided to close its borders with Albania and North Macedonia, with some exceptions, stop flights to and from Spain and end passenger ship service to Italy.
Also, cruise ships will no longer be allowed at Greek ports.
Greek citizens, as well as permanent residence of Greece, will still be allowed to cross from Albania and North Macedonia.
New Travel Restrictions due to COVID-19
Latest updates on travel restrictions as of March 15, 2020 (according to Bulgaria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Albania
Bulgaria with 43 Registered Cases of COVID-19, Balkans Taking Tougher Measures
Two more cases of coronavirus have been registered in Bulgaria.
One is from Pleven, the other from Sofia. The total number of patients is 43, two of them have died.
This was stated by Major General Prof. Ventsislav Mutafchiiski, Chief of the National Operations Headquarters and of the MMA.
Government expands coronavirus lockdown, intensifies “Stay home” campaign
A mini -cabinet meeting to discuss the coronavirus pandemic-management plan today with ministers at a two-metre distance from each other decided to expand restriction of movement such as a ban on organised beaches, to which many Greeks had repaired to break the enclosure of self-isolation.
Kosovo Confirms First Two Coronavirus Cases
Kosovo on Friday confirmed its first two cases of coronavirus, as the authorities test more people. The announcement was made at a joint press conference of Prime Minister Albin Kurti and the Minister of Health, Arben Vitia. They said two of 15 suspected cases had tested positive for the virus. Both had arrived recently from Italy, by far the worst affected country in Europe.
Balkan Countries Close Border Crossings to Stop Coronavirus
Serbia, Albania and Romania have closed many of their border crossings in order to combat the spread of the coronavirus, leaving some parts of the Balkans practically cut off for civil traffic.
All countries of the region have either banned entry or introduced special restrictive measures for passengers arriving from countries with mid to high to risk of coronavirus.
Tight-Lipped Balkan Governments Scramble to Defend Against COVID-19
"It's confidential," Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic told a press conference on Thursday when asked how many ventilators the country has.
"At this moment, this is treated practically as a state secret in all countries," Brnabic said, but assured reporters that "Serbia has enough ventilators."
Rama Takes his War on Media to Albanians’ Phones
Albanian mobile phone users have unexpectedly received a recorded message from the Prime Minister, advising them on how to protect themselves from the coronavirus - and the media.
"Wash your hands, don't move from your house for pleasure, open windows as much as you can, protect yourself from the media," the message from Edi Rama said.
In Greece, ‘Trained in Cruelty’
None of them knew what awaited them on the other side. Maybe they'd end up in jail on the Turkish side or fall prey to violent smugglers.
This was in 2006. Looking back, it seems like a happy era of order and predictability, as the world today seems to flirt with the abyss: economic insecurity, the epidemic of coronavirus and the biggest refugee crisis of the century.
ForMin Aurescu highlights need to ensure proper medical response to COVID-19 spreading in EU
Foreign Affairs Minister Bogdan Aurescu highlighted, at a meeting with ambassadors of EU member states in Bucharest, the need for the immediate actions to focus on ensuring a proper medical response to the COVID-19 spreading all over the EU.
Albania Announces New “War” Measures Against Coronavirus
Police and army officers manning a checkpoint in the port of Durres on 12 March 2020. Photo: LSA
Bulgaria Confirms First Death From Coronavirus
A 66-year-old woman with a history of heart disease died on Wednesday in Pirogov hospital in Sofia as a consequence of coronavirus - the first officially confirmed fatal victim of the illness in Bulgaria. Her 74-year-old husband is in the same hospital and also diagnosed with coronavirus, but is in a relatively stable condition.