About 60 Albanian emigrants who seek to return to Albania are protesting at the southern entry point of Kakavija. The coronavirus preventative measure that closed the border with Greece has left them stranded and with no solution in sight.
Greece has allowed Albanians seeking to return home to cross the Greek border, but they have been denied entry at the Albanian border.
BalkanWeb reports that the protesters blocked the street between the two borders, hindering the passage of trucks. Most of the protesters claim that they cannot afford to remain in Greece and want to return home.
This week, Greece extended residence permits for immigrants by 5 months, whereas the Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama announced that no one will be punished for overstaying their three month visa.
These measures affect about 200,000 immigrants and about 2000 visitors on three month visas.
Rama asked Albanians not to travel, but a paralyzed economy means that many emigrants cannot afford to stay in Greece.
Greek authorities have organized bus transportation to bring them to the Greek cities where they reside, whereas those who find themselves in immediate need must acquire special permission to return from the Albanian consul in Greece.
