Background. Albania was mildly affected in the first wave of the pandemic in the spring of 2020. Due to its proximity and close links to Italy, Albania adopted some of the toughest lockdown measures in Europe in March 2020 as soon as it detected the first confirmed COVID-19 case. The government proclaimed a state of natural catastrophe which enabled it to use extended powers for its three months duration until it ended on June 23, 2020.