Since the first cases of Coronavirus were confirmed in Albania, the government has taken a number of steps to stop the spread of the infection.
Tirana Municipality has started disinfecting all kindergartens and schools, ready for them to be reopened again in two weeks.
Mayor Erion Veliaj wrote on Facebook that the decision was taken earlier today to close schools also applies to kindergartens. While children are not believed to be at significant risk from the virus, they can be carriers and infect grandparents and others who are in the high-risk category.
The Municipality has also announced that it will be disinfecting busses as well. Veliaj said in a tweet that as the virus passed from person to person, more than the bus to person, people would be better off walking or using a bicycle.
Head of the Infectious Diseases department, Silva Bino told the media today that a specialist quarantine facility at the Durres Vacation Home is ready to take patients. She confirmed that those at risk will be transported there as needed.
Bino also explained that patient zero, a 28-year-old man, has contacted those he has been in contact with, including family members since he returned from Florence, Italy on 26 February.
“We know the path he took and the contact he had. The closest contact is the father. We continue to track his second and third contacts who may have been affected,” she said.
So far, 14 people have had contact with the boy and his father and are being tested for whether or not they have coronavirus.
As the news of the virus spread throughout the capital, people rushed to stock up on food and essential supplies. A number of shops and pharmacies reported running out of rubbing alcohol and hand sanitiser, others took photos of empty shelves in some of the larger supermarkets.
A member of staff working at the main hospital in Tirana where the patients are being treated told Exit there is a third diagnosed case that is yet to be announced to the public.
Earlier this morning, Prime Minister Edi Rama announced that all schools will close for two weeks and flights from affected areas in Italy and ‘red-zones’ have been cancelled until at least 3 April.
Minister for Health Oferta Manastirliu then made public a list of government decisions that they are asking citizens to abide by until for the foreseeable future. These include a ban on all public or non-public activities, gatherings, conferences, sports events and rallies, obligatory self-quarantine for anyone travelling from a ‘red-zone’, and a ban on exporting medicine and medical goods.
She also reminded citizens that failing to abide by the rules carries the risk of punishment as per the Law on the Prevention of Infectious Diseases.
