The Technical Committee of Experts gathered this morning in order to reassess the COVID-19 situation in our country, after which they decided to keep the current measures in place.

The Committee’s chair, Mira Rakacolli said that the situation can be kept under control with the same level of measures, but only through rigorously complying to them and continuing massive vaccination in our country.

Rakacolli stated that also argued that the number of new cases if connected to the circulation of the Delta variant that has contributed to a similar situation all around the region.

Committee experts also announced that the weekly median in terms of new cases has reached 480 cases compared to 200, last week. The number of active cases has also gone up, which has in turn contributed to a higher by-weekly incidence rate, namely 5 times higher. The number of new cases in the age-group 35-64, has also seen a considerable rise.

The chief of the Epidemiologic Department at the ISHP, Silva Bino said that 27% of the population is now fully vaccinated, which means they have received both doses, whereas 37% have only received one dose.

Gjirokastra is the county with the largest vaccination rate per capita, and a rise has been noticed in citizens wanting to get vaccinating in Tirana as well, stated Bino.

Anti-COVID measure that are still in force:

• Masks will continue to be mandatory indoors and in all closed spaces, including public transit.
• Police curfew 00:00 a.m. – 06:00 a.m.
• Curfew for loud music in bars/restaurants – until 23:00 p.m.
• Sports championships are allowed with the presence of a reduced capacity of spectators by up to – 30%.
• Cultural activities, theater plays, artistic shows, conferences etc., are allowed with the presence of a reduced public by up to 30%.
• Large gatherings outdoors limited to 50 people, who are obliged to respect social distancing rules and all other guidelines set out by ISHP.