“We are defaulting”, businesses revolting with new restrictive measures from the Kurti Government

The owner of this business, Driton Hoti, says it is impossible to continue working.

The restrictive measures, the Government of Kosovo, have taken since the spring of 2020, when even pandemic has erupted.

For 18 months, we've only been working two months during the summer of this year”, says Hoti, who has employed about 30 workers.

He says the losses are great, but it does not give an accurate figure.

“The figure can't give, but according to the circulation I've had in 2019, then it was 400 thousand euros, now we don't have... only the two months we've worked”, says Hoti for Radio Free Europe.

With Kosovo Government measures taken on August 30th, party and wedding arrangements have been banned.

At the time, Kosovo has recorded over 1,000 new cases of coronary per day and dozens of victims.

The work of nightclubs and parties continues to be banned even with recent government measures that have entered into force on December 6th.

Hoti says she disagrees with this decision, now that the coronary situation seems more stable.

“In August, when we were closed, we agreed to shut down, due to numerous cases of coronaryism, but in the hope that when the situation is stabilised and a large percentage of citizens is vaccinated, we will be allowed work”, he says.

Kosovo, according to the National Institute of Public Health, has a calmer epidemiology situation. Between December 1st and 6th, health authorities have recorded 48 cases of coronary infected and a victim.

The number of active cases Monday has been 322.

With the recent restrictive measures, inter alia, conditions for entry into Kosovo are stiffened, while limiting the movement continues to be in effect from midnight to 0500 hours. Gastronomy's work hours also do not change; this sector's work is permitted until 11:00, and music is banned after 9:30.

Vranica: Government did not manage economic health

Arian Vranica, from the Kosovo Gastronom Association, which represents over 500 businesses, says the Government has had to take measures in line with the epidemiological situation.

If now and for several months, Kosovo is marking a small number of cases, Vranica says, the government has had to think about “economy health”.

There was no Government will to manage the health of the economy. These measures have created a great revolt, especially of nightclubs and wedding halls and estrades. We're facing serious problems. Many businesses are bankrupt”, he says.

According to data from the Business Recording Agency at the Ministry of Trade and Industry in Kosovo, over 2,600 businesses have disappeared for nearly two years.

To cope with the consequences of pandemic, the Government of Kosovo has approved the Economic Resurrection Pack, worth 420m euros. Under this package, businesses have been helped from time to time.

Sogojeva: Not Limitations but Reliefs

The Government of Kosovo's decision on restrictive measures is rejected in the Hotel and Tourism Oda.

Hysen Sogojevo, who represents over 300 businesses in the field of hotels and tourism in Kosovo, tells Radio Free Europe that they have been waiting for relief of the measures.

“These measures are not in harmony with businesses. We, like Ode, have requested that gastronomy, hotel, tourism businesses work on 30 to 50 percent of capacity. Then, we were told that we take the obligation that no person enter those halls without having two vaccines [against Coronobrus] and [negressive] test] PCR”, Sogojevo says.

According to him, any measures that prohibit business work are losses. If such measures continue, up to 35 percent of businesses in this sector will go bankrupt, he says.

Kurti: Measures, due to Omitron variant

Despite the quiet epidemiological situation, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has said the measures are being taken due to the risk of the new coronary variant, Omitron.

This version was first identified last month in South Africa, and classified as disturbing by the World Health Organization.

In an effort to prevent spread, some countries have limited their travel to the African country.

Speaking Sunday, Kurti has said there are some risks Kosovo may face very quickly.

“The escape rate for the end of the year, the serious epidemiological situation in countries where the largest number of gypsies, the low vaccine rate with both doses in Kosovo, and the release of the new coronary variant known as the Omitron variant, which is easier to transmit than the Delta” variant, Kurti said.

As scientists continue to study the effects Omitron can cause, health officials in Kosovo urge citizens to be vaccinated.

In Kosovo, the degree of total vaccine against Coronavirus currently stands at over 42 percent.

According to health professionals, one country must vaccinate over 85 percent of the population to keep the situation under control. / REL/