Kurti reasons decision to ban entry into Kosovo without inoculation

He indicated in detail why measures are being tightened at a time when the epidemiological situation in Kosovo is, as he said, the best not only in the Western Balkan region but also in Europe.

Kurti has said that, over the past few weeks, cases of COVIID-19 have increased dramatically in Europe and the Western Balkans, and that at the moment, the greatest risk for an eventual expansion of COVID-19 in Kosovo comes from travelers from abroad.

And secondly, he has indicated that, the Omitron version, as well as its spread to many European countries in a short period, has forced Government to act swiftly and decisively on the tightening of border measures.

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8 Answers to the 8 most frequent Questions on New Measures Against COVID-19
Why is negative results not enough in the PCR test or in the fast test to enter the territory of the Republic of Kosovo?

According to preliminary data, the latest version of the Corona virus, called “Omitron”, spreads significantly and faster than the current dominant option, the Delta variant. This fact makes the outcome negative in itself less valuable and less sure as evidence. For example, on two planes that were launched last week from South Africa to the Netherlands, with a total of about 650 passengers, almost 10% of passengers resulted in positive testing after arrival, even though the negative test or full inoculation was mandatory before departure. The rapid test, however, has proved to give bad negative results (“negative”) in a considerable number of cases, and for this reason, it will no longer be considered acceptable as evidence.

Why is it not enough evidence that the person has passed COVID-19 to enter the territory of the Republic of Kosovo?

Even in this direction, the measures were to be tightened because of preliminary data released by the OBS, which shows that the Omitron variant has more danger of causing the reinfectation of previously infected persons with another version of the Corona virus. For this reason, even those who have passed COVID-19 will have to be vaccinated for their protection.

In view of the risk of gatherings that, each December, accompany the holiday season celebrations, why isn't witnessing for two doses of vaccines now being requested instead of delaying implementation of this measure until January 3, 2022?

The measures approved by the Government reflect a compromise between the two extremes. On the one hand, for the reasons mentioned above, we are obliged to seek vaccines with at least one dose for those who want to enter the territory of the Republic of Kosovo. We can't accept any more travel entrances just with the negative outcome or just evidence that has previously passed COVID-19. But, on the other hand, not to place unreasonable obstacles to exiles who wish to return home for the holiday season, the government has decided not to immediately seek double dose vaccines. If it had begun, from now on, the search for two doses of vaccine to enter the Republic of Kosovo, it would have been impossible for the arrival of those exiles who have not yet received any doses, because the second dose of the vaccine cannot be taken immediately, but only weeks after taking the first dose. As a reasonable compromise, then, the Government has decided to accept as evidence of vaccination with a dose, but only if it is accompanied by either negative results on the PCR test within the last 48 hours, or with evidence that the traveler has passed COVID-19. In these two cases, a combination of two witnesses (i.e. a. Vaccination with a dose, along with another evidence, provides more security than evidence in itself.

A traveler who has counterindications for non-excision will be forced to vaccinate before entering the Republic of Kosovo?

No. According to Article 5.7 of the ruling, there are exceptions to <x0.0 persons with medical evidence that have scientifically proven counterindictations for non-examination. Such persons should submit the RT-PCR negative test for COVID-19, no older than 48 hours”. Also, there are exceptions to categories like the following: “Persons entering Kosovo via airport or through land border points and leaving Kosovo within three (3) hours through airport or land border points, provided at the entry I sign the declaration that it will release Kosovo within three (3) hours; People who work as professional transporters (volzies), provided they respect the protocol for international transport for protection from COVID-19; Citizens of the Republic of Kosovo who have been outside Kosovo in the last 12 hours; Foreign citizens who pass through Kosovo through transport organised by bus or regular international line, transit, provided the declaration is signed that they leave Kosovo territory within 5) hours; Foreign diplomats accredited in Kosovo; People under the age of 12 (12) aged”.

What if a traveler comes to the border without a dose of the vaccine?

Citizens of the Republic of Kosovo, as well as those with permission to stay in Kosovo, will have the opportunity to vaccinate at the main border points. Exactly, according to Article 4 of the decision, “Citizens of the Republic of Kosovo, as well as persons with temporary or permanent permission in Kosovo who do not possess any of the evidence 2.1 to 2.3 and seek to enter the territory of the Republic of Kosovo, are given the opportunity to be vaccinated by mobile teams located at the ANP Adam Jashar border point (for those entering the air route), and at border points in Vermica, Merdare, and White, Hani of Elez (for those entering the land route)<1>

Why are measures tightening at a time when the epidemiological situation in Kosovo is the best not only in the Western Balkans region but also in Europe?

We have noted in earlier waves of this pandemic how quickly a brilliant epidemiology can pass through in a serious state. Going out of control of the situation would come at an extremely high price, whether for the lives and health of citizens or for the country's economic, cultural, and social activities, in the event of eventual closure. The government of the Republic of Kosovo is determined to take any action within its reach to preserve the excellent epidemiology situation in the country, which we have achieved together as a society. Moreover, there are two other reasons for the tightening of measures right at the border. First, in recent weeks, cases of COVID-19 have increased dramatically in Europe and the Western Balkans. This means that, at the moment, the greatest risk for a eventual expansion of COVID-19 in Kosovo comes from travelers from abroad. Second, the Omitron variant's appearance, as well as its spread to many European countries in a short period, has forced Government to act swiftly and decisively in the tightening of border measures. Even more disturbing is the fact that according to preliminary data, this version poses a much higher risk for young age groups, especially for children under the age of five compared with previous versions of the Corona virus.

Why haven't we followed the example of other countries, stopping travelers from places where the Omitron version cases appeared?

Government Makes Decisions for Anti-Matures - CO VID exclusively on scientific and health grounds. The science of epidemiology and the history of epidemics and pandemics tell us that until a case of disease is confirmed in a certain land, that likely disease would already have spread beyond the borders of that country. In fact, this pattern has been confirmed in the case of Omitron version, which has proved to have been in circulation in Europe at least a week before it was discovered in South Africa. The selective prohibitions against specific locations, so they're almost always one step behind reality and, therefore, are useless. While an external, category travel ban (in other words, border closure) may be effective, but it is a measure that should not be taken except in more extreme or unclear cases, such as the situation at the beginning of the pandemic.

Isn't the inoculation of citizens' entry into the territory of the Republic of Kosovo a violation of human rights?

No. In this regard, some facts should be considered. First, measures anti - CO VID is reviewed by the government in progress according to new developments. If the situation is improved or clarified according to data published by the OBS over the following weeks, especially in terms of Omitron version, this condition can be removed and the 7-day home quarantine option can be provided for those who refuse to be vaccinated. Second, in some European countries, the vaccine has become mandatory for the entire population or for a considerable part of it (see, for example, Austria and Greece) throughout the country's territory. The move imposed by the Government is softer than this, because it is imposed only for those coming in from abroad, but not for those already within Kosovo's territory.

Our health experts have estimated that, for the time being, such a softer move is adequately addressed to the major risks of spreading COVID-19 disease in Kosovo. These risks, once again, come mainly from abroad. Third, not only the Republic of Kosovo but many other countries in Europe and the world are imposing much stricter restrictions (some countries, for example, have cancelled all flights from abroad for a certain period), but in hopes that these restrictions will be temporary. The government has the situation under constant surveillance. Not only this measure - but also other restrictive measures - will be released at the first time, always without risking the lives and health of citizens.