While the Tirana Book Fair is taking place after two years of hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, concerns have been raised over the lack of enforcement measures to contain the spread of the pandemic.
#albania #tirana #book #fair #literature https://t.co/pvkCsGVfB7 [email protected] pic.twitter.com/jVlXqS4XYc
— Erich Mehrl (@Erich_Mehrl) November 18, 2021
Photos published on social media and taken by Exit show that at least half of those in attendance did not wear masks. Some had no masks, others wore them around their chin, and only some wore them in accordance with the regulations.
Because of the situation, some authors who had planned to do signings, including Fatos Lubonja, cancelled over concerns related to the COVID-19 situation. He confirmed to Exit he had heard measures were not being followed and, as such, decided not to attend.
Communications between the organisers and participants, seen by Exit, show they specified masks should be worn and hand sanitiser should be made available on stalls. Another communication states all attendees should be vaccinated, but exhibitors confirmed they had not been asked to show evidence of this.
Exit contacted the organisers to ask for their comment on the photos, claims, and cancellations and to ask whether measures would be increased, but no reply was given by the time of publication.
Under the current COVID-19 guidelines, masks must be worn inside by law. Furthermore, groups of more than 10 people cannot partake in indoor events, while conferences can take place with a maximum capacity of 30%. It is not clear whether the fair counts as a conference or an indoor event.
While the Book Fair is a much-loved tradition, the rest of Europe is grappling with the fourth wave of COVID-19 that has seen new cases and hospitalisations surpass those of previous waves. Several countries have introduced lockdowns for vaccinated and unvaccinated, and hospitals are at capacity in Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Czechia.
Numbers are rising in Albania but testing remains low, along with vaccine uptake.
