Following the most recent meeting of the Technical Committee of Experts, mandatory vaccination could become a reality for the following categories: medical staff, university students and professors.

“September, which will be an open month of vaccination should serve as a chance for all medical personnel, professors and students to get their vaccines until September 30^th, when they will need to provide verification at their centers of employment or student offices, and copies of their vaccination certificates, which are available at e-Albania,” said the director of the Experts Committee, Mira Rakacolli.

Rakacolli also added that based on the aggravated situation in the country, the Committee is proposing to move the curfew from the current 00:00 a.m. – 06:00 a.m. to 23:00 p.m. – 06:00 a.m.

In turn, the health minister, Ogerta Manastirliu stated that the recent data shows that the Delta variant is infecting citizens, who for one reason or another haven’t been vaccinated.

“95 % of hospital admissions have not been vaccinated, which shows that they are the ones taking a lot of risks,” said the minister.

Concerned about the surge in infections, the Technical Committee of Experts has just announced the new anti-COVID measures coming into effect starting from September 1^st.

New measures:

• As of September 1^st, the new curfew hours will start at 23:00 pm. – 06: 00 am.
• From September 6^th, citizens entering Albania will be expected to abide by the following guidelines:

–        Show proof of vaccination through vaccination passport/certificate.

–        Provide negative PCR test, taken within 72 hours OR negative antigenic test within 48 hours.

–        Proof of recovering from a COVID-19 infection no later than 6 months ago.

–        Rules also apply to transit passengers.

–        Children up to 6 years old are exempt from these rules.

–        Entry inside airport denied to all citizens other than passengers.

–        Mask is mandatory in all indoor spaces.

–        No family members will be allowed in hospitals.

In the impossibility of providing any of the above, citizens are obliged to self-isolate for 10 days and notify authorities so that they can undergo a test after the end of their quarantine.

Meanwhile, the Technical Committee of Expert has recommended that the vaccine should be made mandatory for all medical personnel, school staff, and students until September 30^th; for all those that haven’t been vaccinated, periodic negative PCR tests will be required.

The only exemptions will be for those providing proof from their medical doctors that they cannot get a vaccine for specific medical reasons – a document, which should be approved by an ISHP specialist.