Kosovo Government introduces new COVID-19 restrictions

Gazeta Express

13/07/2020 16:34

Kosovo Government on Monday has introduced new restrictions aimed at preventing further spread of coronavirus. The Government ordered citizens to wear masks in all activities outside their homes, and in addition to capital Pristina and four other towns has introduced curfew for the cities with the most cases from 21:00 to 05:00.

The Government’s decision also obliges all public and private institutions to keep hand sanitizers and face masks in accessible places, at the entrance of the facility, which can be used by the employees of the institutions and visitors. In addition to Pristina Ferizaj, Vushtrri and Prizren, the Government has introduced curfew to Mitrovica South, Gjilan, Fushe Kosove and Strpce.

Read full statement of Government:

The Government of the Republic of Kosovo, at the request of Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti and in accordance with the Rules of Procedure of the Government, held the corresponding meeting (electronic meeting), the 13th meeting, in which it has reviewed and approved decisions on measures to be taken in order to fight and prevent the COVID-19 pandemic.

The first decision adopted at today’s meeting to take measures to prevent the spread and control of COVID-19 infection is the obligation of all residents of the Republic of Kosovo to wear face masks in all activities outside their homes / apartments, as well as to maintain a physical distance of 2m in common areas outside their homes / apartments. The decision also obliges all public and private institutions to keep hand sanitizers and face masks in accessible places, at the entrance of the facility, which can be used by the employees of the institutions and visitors.

The decision to take measures for the circulation of natural persons outside their homes / apartments in the municipalities in: Mitrovica South, Gjilan, Fushë Kosovë and Shtërpcë was also approved. The ban starts from July 13, 2020, starting from 21:00 to 05:00, prohibits any movement of natural persons outside their homes / apartments in the Municipalities: Mitrovica South, Gjilan, Fushë Kosovë and Shtrpce. Exceptions to this decision are health emergencies, the need to care for the sick and people with special needs, seeking help from relevant institutions in cases of domestic violence, the death of a family member and care for pets, but not more than 500 meters from the home/apartment.

With a decision approved today by the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, the Minister of Health has been authorized to complement the Administrative Instruction on working conditions regarding the space, professional staff and medical equipment of private institutions and to complement the Administrative Instruction on general and special conditions  of hospitals, exceeding all procedures set out in the Rules of Procedure of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo and the Regulation on Government Legal Service. Amending and supplementing of this bylaw that includes only the determination of the conditions / criteria specific to performing molecular and serological tests for Covid-19.

Always in function of the measures for prevention and fight against COVID-19 infection, the Government has approved the decision which obliges all citizens of the Republic of Northern Macedonia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, who enter the territory of the Republic of Kosovo, must prove that they do not suffer from COVID-19, through the certification that proves the negative RT-PCR test in Sars COV-2, not older than 72 hours from the time when they appear at the border of the Republic of Kosovo.

Exceptionally from this decision, all citizens of these countries, upon entering through the International Airport “Adem Jashari” do not need to present the certificate for RT-PCR test, but they will sign a statement stating that within 3 hours will leave the territory of the Republic of Kosovo. Even the citizens of these countries who use the International Airport “Adem Jashari” for travel to third countries, do not need to present the certificate for RT-PCR test.

Carriers coming from these countries to the Republic of Kosovo do not need to present the RT-PCR test certificate, but are required to comply with international transport protocols. Also organized transport by buses or regular international lines in transit from these countries, should not present the certificate for the RT-PCR test, but they sign the statement which obliges them to leave the territory of the Republic of Kosovo within 5 hours. Exempted from the obligation to present the RT-PCR test are also foreign diplomats from the above mentioned countries who are accredited in the RKS, as well as their families. All citizens of Montenegro, Northern Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, who also have the citizenship of the Republic of Kosovo, if they have a residence in Kosovo, are also exempted from the presentation of the RT-PCR test.

The presentation of the certificate for negative RT-PCR test upon entry into the Republic of Kosovo, made no later than 72 hours, is required by the citizens of Montenegro, Northern Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina who have regulated temporary or permanent residence permit in the Republic of Kosovo and those who have appointed appointments for treatment in health institutions of RKS and holders of personal documents issued by the Republic of Kosovo but with a residence address in one of the countries mentioned in this decision

In continuation of other measures to combat and prevent COVID-19, the Government has suspended the activity of public and private kindergartens; indoor recreational, cultural and sports activities throughout the territory of the Republic of Kosovo. All shopping centers in the territory of the Republic of Kosovo are obliged to exercise commercial activity from 05:00 in the morning until 21:00, strictly implementing the conditions according to the Manual for protection from COVID-19, and above all the mandatory wearing of face masks and the creation of conditions for the physical distance of consumers.

The decision approved by the Government of Kosovo suspends the work of public vehicle markets and animal markets, throughout the territory of the Republic of Kosovo, suspends religious ceremonies; as well as prohibits the gathering of more than 5 people in public squares, parks and the like.

All operators of municipal, financial, electronic and postal services are obliged to provide services with minimal schedule and staff, while citizens over the age of 65 and those with chronic diseases (diabetes, hypertension and heart disease, chronic lung disease, patients with kidney disease, patients with suppressed immunity, oncology patients, etc.) can go out in public only in the early morning hours from 05:00 to 10:00 and in the evening from 18:00 : 00 until 21:00.