Albania: COVID-19 Legal Update
Albania: COVID-19 Legal Update
Starting from 9th to 23rd March 2020, the Albanian Government has increased the restrictive measures and extended the time in which the country will remain under lockdown because of the COVID-19 virus.
STATE OF NATURAL DISASTER EMERGENCY
Albanian Government has declared the State of Natural Disaster Emergency in the Republic of Albania because of the COVID-19 pandemic which may affect some constitutional rights such as the inviolability of the residence, freedom to choose the place of residence and move freely, property and employment rights, etc.
MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE AND VEHICLES
New restriction of movement has been announced by Albanian Government for public and private transportation as well as for the pedestrians as follows:
- Movement of pedestrians is allowed only between 05:00-13:00 subject to administrative sanctions.
- Travel even with a private vehicle without authorisation from the State Policy is forbidden (the form can be found here).
RESTRICTED AND ALLOWED ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES
The Ministry of Health has issued an order detailing the list of allowed and prohibited commercial activities.
Food wholesalers should hold stocks for a three-month period or in accordance with product life expectancy.
Export of drugs and medical supplies from the Republic of Albania without a specific authorisation form the Ministry of Health is forbidden.
Pharmaceutical companies, Pharmacies, Food wholesalers and retailers are obliged to continue their activity.
RESTRICTED CULTURAL AND SPORTIVE ACTIVITIES
Closed to the public until 3 April 2020 are the premises offering night club services and indoor premises dedicated to the entertainment of children and youth, gyms, sports centers, swimming pools, internet centers, cultural centers and entertainment centers.
Prohibition until 3 April 2020 of sports, social and cultural activities, educational excursions organised by school institutions inside the country or abroad, and competition procedures for hiring of staff, education and specialisation competitions.
FLIGHTS AND MARITIME TRANSPORTATION
All terrestrial borders are closed (except for transport of goods). In addition, all flights from and into Albania, with the exception of flights to Istanbul are cancelled.
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
Measures related to educational institution include suspension of educational institutions until 3 April 2020. Education from home has continued through virtual classes and other means.
POSTAL SERVICES
Courier companies must ensure continuity of service and develop a plan of measures to limit employee contact with the public and avoid crowding of the public at the help desks or other indoor facilities.
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE EMPLOYER
In the public sector, the working hours will be between 08:00-13:00.
All private employers are urged to find solutions for the treatment of their employees with leave.
Public and private institutions must draft according to their area of responsibility a plan of measures to ensure the provision of priority services by prioritising the category of services primarily through the provision of online service, working remotely and only in case of necessity to provide the service through physical contact.
For services that require direct contact with the public, institutions should provide workers with protective work tools to safeguard their health. Public institutions providing reception services to the public at the help desk must take measures to maximize the use of online services and the
e-Albania platform.
OTHER HEALTH MEASURES
All persons entering in Albania from epidemiological risk areas identified as such by the World Health Organization are required to complete the traveler file at the border entry points and to self-quarantine for a period of 14 days from the date of entry at the border, otherwise, they may be subject to fines.
Starting from 9th to 23rd March 2020, the Albanian Government has increased the restrictive measures and extended the time in which the country will remain under lockdown because of the COVID-19 virus.
STATE OF NATURAL DISASTER EMERGENCY
Albanian Government has declared the State of Natural Disaster Emergency in the Republic of Albania because of the COVID-19 pandemic which may affect some constitutional rights such as the inviolability of the residence, freedom to choose the place of residence and move freely, property and employment rights, etc.
MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE AND VEHICLES
New restriction of movement has been announced by Albanian Government for public and private transportation as well as for the pedestrians as follows:
- Movement of pedestrians is allowed only between 05:00-13:00 subject to administrative sanctions.
- Travel even with a private vehicle without authorisation from the State Policy is forbidden (the form can be found here).
RESTRICTED AND ALLOWED ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES
The Ministry of Health has issued an order detailing the list of allowed and prohibited commercial activities.
Food wholesalers should hold stocks for a three-month period or in accordance with product life expectancy.
Export of drugs and medical supplies from the Republic of Albania without a specific authorisation form the Ministry of Health is forbidden.
Pharmaceutical companies, Pharmacies, Food wholesalers and retailers are obliged to continue their activity.
RESTRICTED CULTURAL AND SPORTIVE ACTIVITIES
Closed to the public until 3 April 2020 are the premises offering night club services and indoor premises dedicated to the entertainment of children and youth, gyms, sports centers, swimming pools, internet centers, cultural centers and entertainment centers.
Prohibition until 3 April 2020 of sports, social and cultural activities, educational excursions organised by school institutions inside the country or abroad, and competition procedures for hiring of staff, education and specialisation competitions.
FLIGHTS AND MARITIME TRANSPORTATION
All terrestrial borders are closed (except for transport of goods). In addition, all flights from and into Albania, with the exception of flights to Istanbul are cancelled.
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
Measures related to educational institution include suspension of educational institutions until 3 April 2020. Education from home has continued through virtual classes and other means.
POSTAL SERVICES
Courier companies must ensure continuity of service and develop a plan of measures to limit employee contact with the public and avoid crowding of the public at the help desks or other indoor facilities.
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE EMPLOYER
In the public sector, the working hours will be between 08:00-13:00.
All private employers are urged to find solutions for the treatment of their employees with leave.
Public and private institutions must draft according to their area of responsibility a plan of measures to ensure the provision of priority services by prioritising the category of services primarily through the provision of online service, working remotely and only in case of necessity to provide the service through physical contact.
For services that require direct contact with the public, institutions should provide workers with protective work tools to safeguard their health. Public institutions providing reception services to the public at the help desk must take measures to maximize the use of online services and the
e-Albania platform.
OTHER HEALTH MEASURES
All persons entering in Albania from epidemiological risk areas identified as such by the World Health Organization are required to complete the traveler file at the border entry points and to self-quarantine for a period of 14 days from the date of entry at the border, otherwise, they may be subject to fines.
