Confession of Kosovo family that remained for six weeks blocked in Slovenia

The Schengen Zone project, where today residents and goods from most European Union member states move without border barriers, was signed in 1985 to enter into full force 10 years later.

But 25 years later, or 35 years from signing, as a result of the global Pandemia of COVID 19, such an achievement was almost temporarily suspended. All of this as a consequence of measures taken by the governments of the signatory countries of this agreement to protect them from COVID 19.

Over two months have been taking place, since the circulation of persons and goods among the Schengen Zone member states has been difficult, thus subject to controls by the border authorities of the respective countries.

Such measures also affected many families with the inability to be together.

Such is the case with Latif Gashi's family, living in Switzerland.

His wife and son, citizens of Slovenia, had traveled for a brief visit to her family in Slovenia on 12 March. After the outbreak of pandemic, on March 17th, the Schengen Zone borders are closed, making Latife unable to join his family.

Found in such a situation, he contacts numerous authorities in Switzerland and diplomatic representatives alike to enable his wife to return to Switzerland, but the result was zero.

After regular contact with his wife, Latifi, given the danger that could be quarantined if he was caught crossing the borders leading to Slovenia, on 1 May he leaves to bring his family to Switzerland.

His first stop was on the border between Switzerland and Austria, in St. The striker, where after filling a form, is allowed to pass away. Austrian police are demanding the same from him, since his transition to this state was only transit. Even the German authorities at a checkpoint specifically set up during this situation after showing them the reasons, as well as presenting documents issued by the Swiss and Austrian authorities, allow him to pass.

The border for Slovenia was opened twice a day by 2 hours, and for its fate, Latifi arrives during this time. After checking the documents, they allow him to perform his „ “, but provided everything is done within 24 hours. On the contrary, quarantine was applied to persons coming from outside Slovenia.

After almost six weeks, Latifi rejoins his family, only after a few hours of stay in Slovenia, takes the way back to Switzerland. The same procedure follows the return, but having Switzerland's residence permit and offering other evidence, the Gashi family manages to return to Switzerland.

We've had a lot of these two months, and often the repatriation of people to Kosovo or even their return to Switzerland has been organised in co-ordination with local authorities.

Following the European Commission's decision, on March 17th, the gradual closure of land, air and water borders between the Schengen Zone states was made, while the decline in the number of infected with the 19th COVID virus is a hope that the renewed opening of borders will take place soon. /Okinfo. ch