Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has rolled out several new steps to halt the spread of corona virus in the last 24 hours. On Thursday, Mr. Edi Rama announced to his Facebook users, that private cars will no longer be allowed on the roads in a half a dozen regions for about three days from Friday 6:00 Am to Sunday 12:00 Pm. Minutes later, he declared the closure of all garment factories and also call centers that mostly serve the Italian market.
On Wednesday, March 11th , Albania closed bars and restaurants following the first recorded death caused by the coronavirus. By Thursday afternoon, the number of cases had risen to 23, mostly people with a history of recent travel to Italy, the country at the center of the pandemic spread in Europe and a country with which Albania has multiple economic and social relations. All the other infected people are currently in a stable condition.
Now its the 7th day of Quarantine in Tirana . The new measures passed by the government are also as follows : People are not allowed to move by car in the city unless it is an. From 18:00 Pm until 8:00 Am in the morning each day, everybody must stay quarantined. Going outside your home its not allowed by the State.
From 8:00 Am - 18:00 Pm everyone is free to go out in the city for fresh air or for a bicycle ride ,but can't travel with private cars.
This situation is very unusual as it is necessary to avoid or reduce as much as possible the spread of this infamous virus which is not only a problem for Albania but for the whole world.
Usually Tirana is a noisy city with a lot of traffic and people standing close to each others as they interact and speak. (Stated from the (WHO) one of the reason why the virus is present is because of the way of living and the interactions between people). Life in Tirana is active, sometimes too active but this virus, changed our lively life in a few days.
Back to 1989 Period in Albania
In 1989 Albania emerged free from a totalitarian regime that had lasted 45 years, during that regime private property was not recognized. The regime was very strict and the borders were Closed , The roads of Tirana were compliantly empty (except for a public bus or an occasional truck.
Now we are in year 2020 and we are experiencing the same thing but for a different thing. We have to obey the law to not leave our homes after 18:00 Pm and not to move with private cars, just like in the dictatorship period and also the borders are closed.
I was born in 1989 so I didn't live during the dictatorship period but as far as my parents told me Today we are experiencing the same thing in Albania as we did in dictatorship period but this time, the reason its not a dictatorial regime but the Coronavirus which originated in China. (Country which had a very good relationship with Albania during the communist regime). Ironic but true.
During my walk and cycling in Tirana these days, besides being more careful and protecting myself from the virus I experienced a different Tirana, a more brighter one. The sun is shinier, the air is fresher and the main Boulevard seams more interesting and the Buildings even more beautiful. If it weren't for the Coronavirus this would be the perfect time for visiting the capital of Albania.
Come and visit us for an outstanding experience!
Stay tuned until the next blog!
Posted by: Genc Minarolli
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