Kosovo: Authorities ease daytime movement restrictions from May 28 /update 4

Event

The Kosovan government will permit the unrestricted movement of people outside their residences between 05:00 and 21:00 (local time) from Thursday, May 28. The measure is essentially a nighttime curfew that will replace a previous lockdown where residents were only allowed to leave their homes for essential purposes and since Monday, May 18, to go outside only during set times.

Kosovan authorities began a gradual easing of COVID-19 restrictions from Monday 4, May. During the first phase some businesses were allowed to reopen, including construction sites, car sales, and estate agents, and public transport started operating on a reduced scale. In the second phase, beginning Monday, May 18, retails stores, hairdressers, open-air markets, and other businesses were allowed to reopen. Museums, art galleries, takeaway restaurants, and call centers were also allowed to reopen, under certain set conditions, such as limited capacities. Under the third phase, due to begin on Monday, June 1, cinemas, theaters and other cultural institutions are expected to be permitted to reopen. Schools are set to resume classes and taxis and restaurants will be permitted to resume operations. After this period the government is due to assess the viability of reopening Kosovo's borders, as well as reviewing social distancing measures and whether to end restrictions on swimming pools, spas, and nightclubs from opening.

Land border crossing points remain closed to non-Kosovo citizens. Authorities in Kosovo canceled all flights into the country effective Monday, March 16, according to diplomatic sources, while all departing flights are expected to be severely disrupted.

As of Wednesday, May 27, there have been 1047 confirmed cases of COVID-19 nationwide, with 30 associated deaths. Further spread of the virus is expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and labored breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.