During the last two weeks of March, Albanian police have fined some 2050 citizens for violating restrictions imposed to curb the spread of Coronavirus.
The figures were confirmed by Interior Minister Sander Lleshaj via a Facebook post. In the post he said that between 16 March and 31 March, the following had occurred:
- 1843 citizens were fined 10,000 ALL for violating curfew/restrictions of movement
- 183 shopkeepers were fined 100,000 ALL for continuing their business beyond time limits
- 14 citizens who did not respect restrictions on movement in parks were fined 20,000 ALL
- 6 citizens who did not respect quarantine were fined 700,000 ALL
- One citizen who entered the hospital without permission was fined 500,000 ALL
The total fines for 2047 citizens is 41,710,000 ALL or approximately EUR 340,000.
The numbers reported by the Minister do not reflect the numbers reported by the police. Police reports show a higher number of citizen fines and less business fines. He also did not include the 690 vehicle fines reported by the police, in his figures.
Police reports compiled by Exit show that 2205 citizens were fined.
- 2,031 citizens who did not respect movement restrictions were fined ALL 10,000
- 152 shopkeepers who continued their business beyond the time limit were fined ALL 100,000
- 14 citizens who did not respect the restrictions on movement in the parks were fined 20,000 ALL
- 6 citizens who did not respect the quarantine were fined 700,000 ALL
- One call-center owner for non-equipment with protective measures was fined 700,000 ALL
- One citizen who entered the hospital without permission was fined 500,000 ALL
The total fines amount to 40,830,000 ALL or EUR 330,000. Minister Lleshaj’s report appears to give the impression that citizens have generally implemented restrictions and that the police have been lenient with penalties.
