The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken the world, not only affecting people’s health but also crashing down on national economies across continents. Many governments have seen themselves forced to take radical measures to stop the rapid transmission of the virus, from the radical lockdowns over the spring, to more eased measures — many of which are ongoing. But restrictive measures have often come at the cost of businesses, workers and whole economies. 

Kosovo’s government has also had to take measures to stop the spread of the virus, which has already threatened to overwhelm hospitals across the country. After more than two months of strict lockdown between March and May 2020, with only “essential” businesses able to work for the most part, many citizens have seen their family budgets completely shaken up. 

Even with the relaxation of restrictions through the summer and the arrival of diaspora communities — which always send a spark of hope across local businesses — citizens have still struggled to deal with the economic consequences of lockdowns. 

In this video K2.0 speaks to Lena M. Latifi, a businesswoman who had to leave the business she started only a few months before the beginning of the pandemic. We also speak to Armend Shala from the Kosovo Red Cross about the worrying increase in requests from families in need who have turned to them for basic products for the first time ever. To guide us through the numbers and social impact of the pandemic, we also speak to Agron Demi, researcher and policy analyst at GAP Institute.K

Credits:

Text: Cristina Marí.
Editor: Besa Luci.
Design and animation: Dina Hajrullahu.
Sound editing: Studio 11.
Video editor: Matthieu Jouffre.

This video was produced as part of the project ‘’Innovation for resilient media and citizen engagement’’ with the financial support of the European Union Office in Kosovo and implemented by Kosovo 2.0 in partnership with GAP Institute. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Kosovo 2.0 and GAP Institute and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union;