JOEL ÇELA
The increase of COVID-19 infection cases, as evidenced by daily reports, obligated the Technical Committee of Experts to increase restrictive measures. A few minutes after the announcement of these rules, which also prohibit gatherings of more than 10 people, Prime Minister Rama “promoted” two activities violating these measures. Ironically, the mass meetings were broadcast on the same communication channel where the Prime Minister transmitted the conference of the Technical Committee of Experts.
On November 17, 2020, the Technical Committee of Experts, announced through the director of the Institute of Public Health, Ms. Albana Fico, the addition of new medium-intensity measures aiming to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“In the last meeting of the Technical Committee of Experts, after analyzing the situation and risks, the progress of the epidemic in the country and the citizens response to the measures taken, we decided:
The prohibition of gatherings with more than 10 people in both open and closed places.
The prohibition of party meetings and rallies.
The prohibition of conferences, celebration ceremonies, wedding ceremonies and funeral ceremonies with people other than the family members, until further notice. “- said Mrs. Fico.
Pursuant to common procedure, this conference was initially broadcast on Prime Minister Rama’s Facebook account. A few minutes after this conference, two meetings of Mr. Rama in Shijak were broadcast live, demonstrating the inspection for the reconstruction process.
In Shijak, he inspected the reconstruction of the buildings damaged on a DS1-DS3 scale, while in Xhafzotaj he inspected the reconstruction of new individual houses.
Apart from broadcasting the news from the Prime Minister’s activities, “Faktoje” noticed the immediate violation of one of the rules his own Technical Committee of Experts had just announced.
There were more than ten people gathered around the Prime Minister in the square in front of the building that is being reconstructed in Shijak, not counting the ERTV camera operator and Minister Ahmetaj, whose appearance on camera was impeded by the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Rama in Shijak, 17 November, 2020
While inside of the building, although the number of people was not exceeded, mainly due to the narrow spaces that impeded such a thing, people stayed very close to each other, breaking the rules of social distancing despite wearing a mask.
Retrieved from the video broadcast on Prime Minister Rama Facebook account
Retrieved from the video broadcast on Prime Minister Rama Facebook account
Even during the next meeting, in Xhafzotaj, where he handed over the keys of some individual houses, a crowd of people is waiting outside following the Prime Minister.
Retrieved from the video broadcast on Prime Minister Rama Facebook account
Retrieved from the video broadcast on Prime Minister Rama Facebook account
Retrieved from the video broadcast on Prime Minister Rama Facebook account
Even in cases when the number of 10 people has not been exceeded, the rules of social distancing have still not been respected, especially with the elderly, who are considered as the most endangered category from the coronavirus.
Retrieved from the video broadcast on Prime Minister Rama Facebook account
Retrieved from the video broadcast on Prime Minister Rama Facebook account
Although it is “Facebook Live” format video, it is possible that these images have been shot beforehand and have simply been selected to be broadcast at that time. However, this does not deny the fact that Prime Minister Rama is the first person to publicly violate the rules set by the Technical Committee of Experts, broadcast by the same communication channel through which he broadcasts the activities of the day.
