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HEALTH-VIRUS-KOSOVO
Kosovo caretaker PM in isolation after possible virus contact
PRISTINA, May 11, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Kosovo’s caretaker Prime Minister Albin
Kurti said Monday he was in self-isolation after an official in his
government “had close contact” with a person who tested positive for the
novel coronavirus.
“Today is the first day when I will not go to work at the Prime Minister’s
Office,” Kurti, 44, wrote in a post on his Facebook page.
Without specifying how long the quarantine would last, Kurti said he would
stay in his apartment until test results were available for the official from
the Ministry of European Integration who had contact with the infected
person.
“Samples have been taken and we are waiting for the result,” Kurti said.
With tight restrictions on movement and early moves to shut down public
activities, Kosovo has so far prevented an explosive outbreak of COVID-19
among its population of 1.8 million.
According to government figures, some 884 infections have been detected
and 28 people have died from the disease.
Kurti, a reformist whose left-wing party won an October election, is now
on his way out after his governing coalition collapsed in a no-confidence
vote in March.
He remains in charge as caretaker PM until a new government can be formed
— a subject of tense political debate in the midst of the health crisis.
While Kurti wants to wait until it is safe enough to hold new elections,
his rivals are eager to form a new government as soon as possible.
A case on the matter is now pending before the Constitutional Court.
BSS/AFP/MRU/1920hrs