Communication of the Prime Minister Edi Rama and the Minister of Health and Social Protection Ogerta Manastirliu on the new anti-coronavirus measures:
PM Edi Rama: We are holding today a special communication on the epidemic situation and before the Health Minister provides an outline on the current situation and announce the message on what is going to change, I would like to highlight few things.
The overall situation in Europe and a broader region is becoming worsening globally. A surge in the number of fresh coronavirus cases was actually predicted with the season change and situation would worsen in late fall and winter. But while many countries are reintroducing restriction measures and the prospect of a new total lockdown is looming, what we should do at any cost is to jointly make efforts so that we prevent a second lockdown from happening.
A second total lockdown would be extremely difficult for the country, the economy of many families and certainly for the state. I do not want to go back and provide an outline on what has happened, but I just want to recall the fact that we managed to very successfully cope with the initial wave of the attack from the invisible enemy and in the meantime we also succeeded in organizing the whole frontline system in the country’s hospitals in line with all potential scenarios in case of the pandemic deterioration.
From the very beginning, the infectious disease hospital was the first defence line, whereas four COVID-dedicated hospitals are fully operational 24/7 in Tirana, with doctors and nurses at the infectious diseases hospital and Shefqet Ndroqi University Hospital and two other hospital centres doing heroic work. The National Emergency Centre lives up to its mission with a staff specifically trained to cope with the pandemic, as shown by around 1000 missions on the ground and around 520.000 calls.
A series of investments as part of the preparedness efforts to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic over the past months have boosted the health system’s capacities in equipment and logistics. The number of teams of the ground has also increased twice as much.
A total of 36 specialized ambulances have joined the fleet of the National Emergency Centre.
Some 150 health workers have joined the medical personnel recently, without taking into account the entire network of doctors and nurses who are ready to step in should the situation worsens.
The intensive and sub-intensive care capacities include a total of 500 beds with 80% of them equipped with oxygen machines.
The number of the life saving ventilators and equipment has increased by 67%.
Effective medicines and therapies have been provided to a considerable extent. We currently have 24 thousand tests and this will continue with the further increase in the number of tests and case tracking efforts.
Testing and epidemiological investigation capacities have been significantly strengthened. The average number of monthly tests has jumped to over 24.000 in October from 8800 monthly tests conducted in June and the test numbers, tracing and isolation activities will further increase as part of the strategy to deal with the epidemic in the fall and winter.
We have provided a direct bonus of EUR 1000 to 1900 frontline doctors, nurses and epidemiologists and EUR 500 to 754 members of the auxiliary staff battling to treat patients.
As you have been already informed, a considerable fund has been made available to cover seasonal flu vaccination for the vulnerable groups, a process that is already underway.
Albania is one of the first countries to allocate funding to purchase a potential vaccine against COVID-19 whenever it becomes available. You already know that every country allocates funds to purchase the vaccine and they are forced to wait according to a certain order, but fortunately we have acted quickly and we are among the countries that will receive first the vaccine whenever available.
The epidemiological situation is worsening globally. You have all seen what is going on in Europe; you are all seeing what is happening in Italy and France, without taking into account the latest situation in Great Britain, the United States of America. Earlier today I found out that Austria too has announce a new wave of restriction measures, ordering companies to shut down and prepare employees to work from home, while it was just few weeks ago when Austria seemed to become a coronavirus-free country. We visited Vienna as part of the OSCE mission and we were really impressed that nobody wore a mask neither in open air nor in indoor spaces and no epidemic traces of whatsoever were to be seen.
Yet, here we are again today, because this invisible enemy remains unpredictable and we have no other choice but follow this process step by step, adapting to any situation.
The current situation in the country is far from being a situation we can follow without being concerned, even though today it is not the case when we are particularly and disproportionally worried, so to say, since predictability of the disease being in line with the reality to date. But everyone should bear in mind the fact with the season change and colder weather conditions, with the longer stay in indoor and air conditioned spaces, all these conditions could cause a higher and exponential risk of COVID-19 infection. We must be absolutely aware that we must take a step and strictly comply with the new rule we will decide if we do not want the total lockdown reintroduced.
And everyone, be them those who strangely enough keep thinking this is a big game, a huge international Illuminati conspiracy, should actually think about their household economy. If they cannot think of their own health and their family’s health, they should think about their family’s economy. A second total lockdown would spare nobody. To this end, it is better to take a step today and we all show solidarity, show utmost care and be demanding to one another rather than find ourselves within the walls and see the channel through which the household income and the national economy revenue flow into an unknown direction.
Don’t forget that we are through a period when we have committed everything, in terms of financial resources, to cope with the earthquake consequences. It would suffice everyone to take a look at the budget state funds we have allocated to rebuild new schools and new houses for the quake-affected families. Don’t forget we have committed everything we can afford to cope with the effects of the total lockdown and our opportunities are not limitless and we can no longer afford a second total lockdown.
Take notice that two days ago the world recorded the highest number of new infections, a total of more than 338,000 fresh cases. We have worked intensively.
I have been trying to avoid stressing people by including the anti-Covid measures in my daily communications. Health Minister is living up to her duty and is working around the clock. Everyone in the country’s health system, the frontline doctors, nurses and every health professional are living up to their duty relating to their area of responsibility and are working around the clock. Fantastic job has been done in terms of the volume of the energies that have been spent, in terms of the measures, in a bid to build a balance between information and the psychological relief for the people in this time of psychological trauma.
The decision to pardon fines, the low intensity of checks and inspections in indoor spaces should be seen as an effort to spare people, businesses, service from stress, while hoping that every citizen, every business owner and private space, and every person responsible for indoor public spaces do their job so that reintroduction of restrictive and repressive measures is not necessary. But unfortunately, some of them have read it this way, and instead that have “duped” themselves and their own families, as well as the society, by refusing to do elementary things, such as wearing a mask in indoor spaces and maintain distance in open air spaces.
Wearing a mask has not been obligatory in Albania and other countries across the world. The use of mask has not been considered a must by the international experts and as you know this is a widely discussed topic around the world.
Wearing a mask will be mandatory for people in indoor and outdoor spaces starting next week, except when at home or in restaurant of and bars. The use of face mask will be compulsory for everyone in every environment, on the street and every public space and the penalty due to be imposed on anyone breaking the rule will be included in the electricity bill.
Nobody will be able to get away with the fine payment. I am not going to name every country where the use of mask in open air spaces has become obligatory. Italy made the use of masks mandatory few days ago and other countries in the region are following the lead.
I think that fine will be the last penalty to resort to and imposing a fine won’t be the reason why people should wear mask. The reason should be the protection of their own household economy since the words about health are often in one ear and out the other.
The State Police and Municipal Police will be tasked with enforcing this measure. We won’t use inspectors as we have embarked on a battle to regulate relations with all services and business by sparing them of various inspectors as some of them really destroy this relation and violate dignity of people and the state, but the State Police, together with the Municipal Police will survey the whole territory and will adopt a zero tolerance approach if someone refuses to wear a face mask when walking on public streets, when on the bus, care, the city’s squares, parks and indoors spaces.
Traditional fines will be imposed in the case of businesses breaching the rule, whereas the fine on individuals will be included in the electricity bill. We have no other option but doing so.
Whoever complains about the fine – I have constantly stated – he or she should abide by the rule and avoid the penalty. We can’t afford risking today just for the sake of some individuals, who unfortunately represent a majority in this process. And we don’t know, nobody actually does, what is going to be the impact and the potential combined effects of the merger between the coronavirus and the seasonal influenza and we should prepare for the worst. But I personally, the Health Minister, and together with the responsible citizens, we will all devote ourselves body and soul to the efforts so that we avoid a second lockdown of Albania, so that no businesses shut down their activity, so that schools are not closed again, because we know quite well the economic, financial and psychological effects of the total lockdown. However, we can’t afford waiting to raise awareness of the people, who see lenient penalties as a weakness and who are unable to figure out this is the minimum of what can be done to protect their and their family’s health.
Better a mask today than the shop closed down tomorrow.
Better use a mask today than see the schools close tomorrow.
Better use a mask today than seeing the city and whole country quarantined tomorrow.
It is as simple as that.
I was not used to wearing a face mask in outdoor spaces to date, but I will use it from now on.
As you can see, this is a general trend and we cannot avoid it. It was just yesterday when I came across many countries that have reintroduced rules banning gatherings of more than five people and limiting the operations and services to the morning hours only and in the afternoon, closing all restaurants and bars at 8 pm or 9 pm. I do not want that we reintroduce such measures too and hopefully spend the winter without these measures being in place.
I heard that some call for the weeding parties to be allowed. It is the most natural thing, but I would invite them to take a look at the measures banning any kind of weeding ceremonies in non-private spaces and gatherings of more than 12 people. Take a look at what is happening in Italy and throughout Europe. They want music. I would invite them to find a place where music is played and people gather in any country around Europe. These are not wishes and whimsies, but elementary measures to stem the spread of the virus. We are now in the conditions when we would be able to cope with the fall-winter challenge and the seasonal flu without reintroducing a total lockdown.
Every Albanian should care that we do not close ourselves behind the house doors again, that shops do not close again, that we are not forced to lock the children at home again, not to return home because the school, the university was closed, not to waste time again because the courts will be closed.
And what is needed for all of these?
All is needed is just a mask; nothing more than that. All it takes is just a mask that everyone can find in a shop and maintaining social and physical distance with others.
After the continued communication with the group of experts and after having received their opinion most recently that it is time to make the use of mask mandatory, because there is another thing, that by abusing the fact that it is not compulsory in outdoor spaces, some may not even use it in indoor environments and there is no greater irresponsibility for the owners of large service units, than not forbidding people to enter the supermarket without a mask.
This is all I had to say for now. Health Minister will provide a more detailed overview and will provide arguments from the Ministry of Health and the Committee of Experts.
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PM Edi Rama: A clarification before you ask questions, if you have any.
We held this communication today so that we allow people more time for them to prepare, be informed and be ready. On Wednesday we will announce the penalty due to be imposed on anyone refusing to wear a mask and the use of face masks will be mandatory for everyone starting next Thursday as soon as they leave their houses all over the country. The penalties will be enforced in real time. Nobody will be able to get away with the fines, because they will be included in the electricity bills.
– Mr. Prime Minister, you constantly underline that the goal is to prevent a second lockdown in Albania. Have you talked with the community experts about the number of infections that would lead to reintroduction of a second total lockdown?
Second question; few days ago, the Democratic Party chairman Lulzim Basha, in his economic plan included also a proposal about the country’s health system. He called for a total of 2500 daily tests, as well as for a bonus, or health service compensation to all COVID-19 patients, who are currently being treated at their homes.
PM Edi Rama: Let’s stick to the seriousness of this issue and refrain from mixing Basha’s poker with serious issues, since these are two completely different things from each other. Lulzim Basha acts like in a poker game. We are here to act as a whole society and state, increase vigilance and it is not the number of infected people alone, but also the number of hospitalizations and the number of patients in intensive care treatment that form what is being recently seen in many countries as a sort of “the traffic light” to determine whether the movement of people will be allowed or completely banned.
So, let’s remain here where we are today on the eve of the season change and the arrival of seasonal influenza. This will naturally force majority of people spend more time inside their homes and indoor spaces, with the air conditioning being one of the most dangerous infecting elements, should no measures are made. With the potential combination of the coronavirus and seasonal flu, we may face sever effects, which may force us to reintroduce a second lockdown, something I would be the last one to wish for. So, let’s all make up our minds and use the face mask everywhere, except when at home.
You might have come across it, but the Italian Prime Minister urged Italians to wear face masks when welcoming guests to their homes too. I am not saying this, but I am asking everyone to use the mask everywhere, except when at home, and during the time in a restaurant or a bar, where it is impossible to drink or eat with the mask on.
This is what I wanted to convey today, begging everyone to comply with the rules so that we are not forced to enter the tunnel of the total lockdown again, because the common cost we will be forced to pay just because some refuse to abide is an undeserved one.
–Mr. Prime Minister, you said that the use of mask will be compulsory everywhere, except homes, bars and restaurants. Will it be obligatory for people to wear masks when in a TV studio?
Second question; will stiffer penalties be imposed?
PM Edi Rama: Health Minister already underlined that with the respective decision due to be announced on Wednesday after taking into consideration the experts’ opinions, the decision will contain also a series of specific exceptions about which you will be informed when the decision is official announced. So, let’s not speculate over possible exceptions for certain cases here. But journalists and staff working in TV stations should of course wear masks. Of course, the specific measures will stipulate how these specific measures will be applied when it comes to the TV studios. Of course – I believe – no interviews can be conducted with masks on, but it is very important that specific measures, specific exceptions are very, very strict ones.
Masks and improvised substitutes are rapidly becoming the new normal in the coming months, at least until February when the trees and flowers start blooming and more sunny days prevail, because, depending on the number of fresh cases and the epidemic situation it costs us nothing to cope with the mandatory use of the mask in order to prevent an incredibly high cost on the individual economy and the health of everyone and on the national economy. You have seen, the way it behaves, this virus is completely unpredictable. There are some people who contract the coronavirus and never feel a thing, or other people who experience mild symptoms, but there are also others who experience more severe and even deadly symptoms. I don’t want to provide examples here, because you know how many people have already died of the complications from the COVID-19. So, why should we question such a small sacrifice like the use of a mask when it is all about preventing all-sided and much more effects than wearing a mask?
I was really very happy when the use of a mask was not compulsory and indispensable and I always have begged experts to allow people walk freely without a mask in clean air zones at least and limit to the maintaining of physical distance and personal hygiene only. But as far as I do understand, the reason why the use of the mask will become obligatory also in other countries in the next few weeks is because the one causing most damages is that though a small part of people who refuse to wear face masks.
I believe we will have the people’s understanding in this process.
PM Edi Rama: Thank you very much and please, as always, help us to extensively convey our message over the coming days to make it clear that starting next Thursday wearing face masks will be mandatory for everyone, from the Prime Minister to the citizens in the country’s farthest corner at any moment when outside home, on the street, park, open-air spaces, indoor places and everywhere else. The State Police, in collaboration with the Municipal Police, will be tasked with enforcing this measure and penalizing anyone breaching it and the due fine will be included in the electricity bill so that nobody will be able to escape paying the penalty. The measure will be fully enforced and more severe penalties will be imposed on public administration employees and state workers who should be the first to set the example of complying with the government laws and rules. The Normative Act will be published on Wednesday.
Thank you!
