By Benet Koleka
TIRANA (Reuters) – Albania will re-open crches and kindergartens and kick off its tourism season on June 1, the health minister said on Tuesday, despite reporting a sharp daily rise in coronavirus infections.
After three weeks without any deaths related to COVID-19, Albania had two over the last two days for a total tally of 33, and infections in the last 24 hours rose sharply to 25, up from six a day earlier.
“The re-opening strategy will continue as outlined by the experts committee. We shall be opening crches and kindergartens from June 1,” Health Minister Ogerta Manastirliu said.
The government would also open land borders on June 1 for all Albanians and ethnic Albanians in neighbouring Kosovo, North Macedonia and Montenegro wishing to visit on holiday.
Bathing at beaches will be allowed only for those serving hotels from June 1, and from June 10 all beaches will be open, Prime Minister Edi Rama has said.
Albania still has a 9 p.m.-5 a.m. lockdown and has yet to allow mass gatherings such as soccer matches.
(Reporting by Benet Koleka; Editing by Nick Macfie)
