Prime Minister Edi Rama has said that a return to normal life will only happen when a vaccine is found and it could be as long as two or three years.
In a live link with the TV show ‘Real Story’ last night, Rama said that the only way things will be like they were before the virus is when vaccination is found.
“We will live another two to three years with the risk that we may become infected”, he said.
In terms of reopening the country, Rama said that opening intercity travel will happen in the coming weeks but that no date had been set. He said that low-risk areas were already being opened and that other locations would be added by the end of the week.
In terms of hairdressers, shopping malls, bars, and restaurants, Rama said they are very dangerous as there is a high risk of transmission from an infected person to others. The opening of these locations needs to be carefully considered and a definitive decision has not been taken yet.
Dependent on the situation, the government could consider a third aid package for high-risk businesses if their reopening is prolonged further.
In terms of education, Rama said that 98% of students are attending online classes and that this paves the way for educational reform to bring lessons to students via TV and radio.
It is not known where Rama got his 98% figure from as over 150,000 Albanian families do not have internet access and many more do not have access to digital devices or television. This means thousands have been unable to attend online classes. A number of local NGOs have been supplying second-hand equipment and dongles to students in need but there is a significant number who are going without.
The Prime Minister said that the final decision on whether to reopen schools this year would be taken today.
