Skopje, 16 August 2021 (MIA) — The tighter coronavirus rules for entering and exiting the country as it faces the more contagious delta variant — requiring travelers to show proof of vaccination, a negative test result or recovery from Covid-19 at the border — “are not being introduced tomorrow” but on a week’s to ten days’ notice, Health Minister Venko Filipche told Sitel TV on Monday evening. “We realize many of our citizens are already on holiday or getting ready to travel out of the country. We don’t want to put any additional financial burden on them,” Minister Filipche said. “We will give them reasonable notice. Whether it is a week from now or ten days, we’ll announce our decision tomorrow.” As of the yet-to-be-announced date, all travelers would be required to show a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours at the border, or proof of vaccination or recovery from Covid-19 in the past 45 days, Filipche said. Exceptions will be made for children, he added. The health minister reiterated the vaccine is safe and effective, and it significantly lowers the risk of fatal outcomes. He pointed out that the pressure on hospitals was higher in places where vaccination rates are lower, such as Tetovo, Kumanovo, and Gostivar. Filipche also said vaccines generate a longer-lasting immune response than Covid-19 infection does. “We can achieve herd immunity only through vaccination and it has been proven it is longer-lasting than the one achieved through recovering from the disease. It is also important to note the vaccination will show we are considerate to other countries, as well.” Asked about yesterday’s protests against the government’s Covid-19 response, the health minister said the protesters’ vaccination claims were unfounded. “Unfortunately,” Filipche said, “we heard a lot of insults and threats to health workers who do not deserve them at all, because they have been overworked, night and day. They did not deserve to be called murderers. That was highly inappropriate. I was really surprised and disappointed.” mr/