Disrespecting measures, 303 thousand citizens were fined in 16 months

The world is now fighting the pandemic of COVID-19.

Fighting this virus in various parts of the world has begun with setting measures such as isolation, putting on masks, keeping distance, and the curfew.

And in Kosovo, fine is also being practiced for those who do not respect the measures against COVID-19. The lowest ticket citizens can receive for this violation of the law ranges from 35 to 500 euros. For failing to wear a mask and keeping a distance, the penalty could be 35 euros, for disrespecting the 200-euro ban, while for disrespecting the 500-euro self-isolation.

For the period from August last year, by December (28.08.20-19.12.2021) 303 thousand and 23 citizens have been fined.

If we get the minimum fine set, that's 35 euros, totaling 10.605.805 euros.

So to see how these fines affected the family economy, Clancosova. tv has told economist Mustaf Kadriaj, who has said the government should make an amnesty, as citizens, according to him, have not committed flagrant violations of the law.

The citizen must be given relief, not charged with such fines, as he knows what the economic situation is like in the country and how the pandemic has affected in this respect, they have not committed flagrant violations of the law, most of them have been going out and going to work. That's why the government must make an amnesty”, Kadriaj has said.

Even according to economic connoisseur Safet Gerjaliu, these fines weigh the family economy because they are far higher than the government's own aid. According to him, more campaign awareness should be made for citizens, not fines.

I appreciate that the fines they have given or paid citizens' businesses at this time of pandemic are much higher than the very aid they have received from the state. The state needs to have a more tolerant approach and, above all, have a self-aware campaign so that businesses and citizens are not always subject to punishment, but through campaigning to function in implementing institutional commands”, Gerjaliu told Klaankosova.tv.

So fine citizens for disrespecting measures against COVID-19, by economic experts, is seen as high because of Kosovo's low budget, and awareness campaign or even amnesty is being sought in this regard.