TIRANA, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The Albanian government has decided to make the use of masks mandatory in indoor spaces and will impose a fine of 2,000 Albanian lek (around 18.4 U.S. dollars) to those who fail to respect the decision, Minister of Health and Social Protection Ogerta Manastirliu announced on Wednesday.
Via a video communication through Facebook, Manastirliu stated that this measure would help curb the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
"Through today's government decision and normative act, the obligation to use non-medical masks or protective barriers to protect against COVID-19 transmission will be an obligation for every individual in all indoor spaces, in public and non-public administration, in public transport, offices, elevators, shopping malls, shops, supermarkets, markets and service units," Manastirliu said.
The minister warned that a fine of 2,000 Albanian lek (around 18.4 U.S. dollars) will be put to those who fail to respect this measure. The fines are expected to be imposed by the police, municipal police and state inspectorate structures.
According to Manastirliu, the strict measure is taken in order to protect citizens' health.
During her address to the public, the minister underlined that health system in Albania is continuing preparations for facing the pandemic situation, adding that currently there are 500 beds ready for COVID-19 patients.
According to her, the Health Ministry has increased hospital capacities with respirators, the Public Health Institute has around 90,000 COVID-19 tests available and that work is underway to open a second testing laboratory in "Mother Teresa" Hospital in the capital Tirana.
The minister confirmed that considering the increased number of coronavirus infections in the country, the authorities have decided to reopen a second hospital to treat COVID-19 patients to cope with the influx of patients.
As of Wednesday, according to health authorities, 88 patients are being treated in the Infectious Disease Hospital in Tirana, of which 12 patients are in intensive care and four are in serious condition.
Over the last 24 hours, the health authorities have reported 85 new coronavirus cases and four COVID-19 related deaths, raising the total number of confirmed cases to 3,752, with 2,091 recoveries and 101 fatalities. Enditem
