Albania: International flights to resume June 22 /update 13

Event

On Saturday, June 20, Albania's Ministry of Infrastructure announced that all international flights to and from Tirana International Airport (TIA) will resume on Monday, June 22. International flights have been suspended for over three months due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Airlines will have to abide by health regulations and social distancing rules imposed by the Civil Aviation Authority. The airlines are also responsible for ensuring these regulations are communicated to and adhered to by travelers. The decision to resume flights is in accordance with the European Commission's recommendation on lifting travel restrictions in the Balkans by July 1.

Albanian authorities announced on June 1, that certain lockdown measures would be eased. The relaxation of measures now allows people to move around freely, with parks, gyms and internet cafes now open. Mass transit, conferences, public hearings, swimming pools, theaters, cinemas, and nightclubs will remain closed until Tuesday, June 23, when the current state of emergency is due to expire.

As of June 20, there are 1891 cases of COVID-19 in Albania, including 43 associated deaths. Further international spread of the virus is expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and trouble breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.