TIRANA, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Technical Committee of Experts on the coronavirus situation in Albania has decided to take additional restrictive measures in an effort to fight COVID-19 spread, Director of Public Health Institute Albana Fico announced on Tuesday.
Speaking at a press conference, Fico told reporters that the committee is closely monitoring the situation in the country regarding the pandemic and the increase in new coronavirus cases.
According to her, the committee has decided to ban gatherings with more than 10 people in open and closed spaces, to ban political meetings and gatherings, as well as to ban conferences, celebrations, wedding and funeral ceremonies.
About 20-25 percent of the capacities in three hospitals for COVID-19 patients in Albania are free for the treatment, Fico said.
According to the strategy announced by the Health Ministry, regional hospitals across the country will start treating patients diagnosed with COVID-19 infection once the capacities of the four hospitals for COVID-19 patients, located in the capital city Tirana, are finished.
Via a Facebook message, Minister of Health and Social Protection Ogerta Manastirliu said the new restrictive measures will enter into force immediately.
On Nov. 9, the Albanian government decided to restrict movement form 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. local time and ordered closure of all bars and restaurants in this time during the period in an effort to curb the spread of the virus.
On Tuesday, health authorities reported 694 new coronavirus cases and six COVID-19 related-deaths in the last 24 hours, raising the total confirmed number of coronavirus cases in the country to 29,126, with 13,804 recoveries and 637 fatalities. Enditem
