The Albanian Institute of Public Health has announced the measures to be taken in schools as of the start of the new academic year.
Amongst the measures is the mandatory vaccination of teachers, school guards, and sanitary workers before September 30. Students over nine are advised to wear masks, whereas those in high school and above are mandated to. Like last year, the school and classrooms will be regularly disinfected and students must respect social distancing.
As of September 6, new rules apply to those visiting the country. Anyone entering Albania must present a vaccine certificate, PCR test, or evidence stating they have had COVID-19 and recovered in the last six months. This applies to those whose destination is Albania, and those who are passing through. Anyone who enters the country and does not meet these conditions must quarantine for 10 days and then take a PCR test at the end of it.
Italy has now lifted the quarantine obligation for Albanians as long as they present a negative PCR, a serological test, or a vaccine certificate showing two doses of an EU-approved vaccine. This rule is in place between 30 August and 25 October. Failure to provide any of these documents results in a five-day quarantine at the address provided on the self-declaration form, which must also be completed before arrival in the country.
COVID-19 cases are continuing to rise in Albania, with 1,054 new cases in the last 24 hours. There are currently 10,088 active cases across the country, concentrated in Tirana, Shkodra, and Vlora. 96 are hospitalized in Tirana and 18 are in serious condition. A total of three deaths were reported yesterday.
