Albania declares state of emergency over coronavirus spread

The state of emergency - in force from March 24 for up to 30 days - will provide the necessary tools for protecting the health of the citizens from the coronavirus infection, the government said in its decision published in the country’s official gazette on Tuesday.

According to the decision, the rights of movement, gatherings and work guaranteed by the constitution will be limited to an extent considered  necessary for achieving the protection of people's health.

Earlier, the government had imposed a country-wide curfew from 1.00pm to 5.00 am in an effort to limit the spread of the disease.

Albania confirmed 23 new cases of the coronavirus disease on Wednesday, bringing the total number to 146, deputy health minister Mira Rakacolli said, adding that to date, 1041 tests have been carried out on suspected cases of the coronavirus.

Albania confirmed its fifth death from the coronavirus infection on Monday. The ministry reported the first coronavirus-related death in the country on March 11, as the first coronavirus case was confirmed on March 9. The number of recoveries has reached 17 thus far.