In light of the new COVID-19 restrictions that came into force last night at 20:30 and last throughout the holiday season, the State Police made a series of announcements on how they will enforce the rules.
During a press conference yesterday, Director of the Department of Security Gjovalin Loka provided information on the police’s strategy to ensure order and security during the holidays.
Between the hours of 20:30 and 06:00 every day until 4 January, the movement of citizens or vehicles will be banned and all bars and shops will be closed. Those offering delivery services will be able to move outside of these hours. Those wishing to leave home must apply for permission through the eAlbania portal. Otherwise, only health personnel, police, military, journalists, and those on the third shift in daily consumption production lines are allowed to move.
The police announced that they will do the following:
- Increase police presence throughout the country due to the increase in the number of people travelling to visit family.
- Provide timely information on the prevention of criminal events, including “identifying and monitoring persons with criminal records who return to celebrate the holidays”.
- Monitoring the movement of vehicles, increasing police patrols on national, urban, and intercity roads and using drones and radar to prevent speeding and drink driving.
- Using “risk analysis” to crack down on the trafficking of drugs and cross-border crimes.
- Increasing controls over the trade of fireworks through cooperation with other law enforcement structures.
They called on citizens to understand and cooperate with them and not to gather for celebrations in squares or other premises and to avoid the use of fireworks. They requested that citizens abide by the restrictions and to celebrate at home with family.
