The Technical Expert Committee announced that in the wake of flu season and the threat posed by the Omicron variant, it recommended toughening pandemic prevention measures.

All public administration employees, as well as shopping malls staff, will have to get the COVID-19 shot by December 31.

Authorities also decided to ban arrivals from several southern African countries, such as Kenya, Angola, Zambia, Botswana, and Senegal. Albanian nationals returning from these destinations will have to isolate for 14 days upon arrival.

Curfew hours remain unchanged, while protective masks will once again be mandatory in public spaces that are indoor, while gatherings will be restricted to a maximum of 50 people.

Deputy health minister Mira Rakacolli announced that all citizens older than 18 are now eligible for a booster shot, at least six months after receiving the second dose.