EU-wide mobilisation against COVID-19
Romania takes additional measures to prevent the spreading of the coronavirus disease
Roxana Vasile, 11.03.2020, 14:00
The EU leaders took part on Tuesday night in a conference call aimed at looking at possible solutions to the large-scale coronavirus crisis looming ahead.
After the conference, the European Council president Charles Michel spoke about a number of priorities agreed on by all participants. First comes protecting citizen safety, through measures based on scientific information and medical sources, followed by ensuring the medical equipment and preventing shortages. Other priorities include promoting scientific research, including the development of a vaccine, and response to the economic and social consequences, among other things by making European rules more flexible.
Taking part in the video call, president Klaus Iohannis called for solidarity and mutual help, in an address broadcast on radio and television:
Klaus Iohannis: “We must face the facts: the risk of pandemic remains high, and fighting the coronavirus requires coordinated national, European and worldwide efforts. We held a conference call and all EU leaders discussed the developments in their respective countries. Protecting the European citizens is our top priority, and we discussed the measures that have to be taken at present. We all agree that it is absolutely necessary for us to coordinate our efforts to counter the effects of the coronavirus disease. It is only by means of joint measures that help prevent the virus from spreading further, that we will manage to successfully handle this crisis, and it is only together that we will manage to prevent its severe effects on the European economies.
The European Parliament also discussed the current COVID-19 situation and a coordinated European response. MEPs pleaded for solidarity, for investments in research and for rethinking the European pharmaceutical and medical equipment industries. Masks, testing kits and respiratory equipment should be produced in the EU and made available to all Member States, MEPs said, among other things. The Romanian MEP Nicolae Stefanuta (Renew Europe), said:
Nicolae Stefanuta: “Today we need joint stocks of medical supplies, we need to mobilise the healthcare personnel in the Union to the most affected areas, but we also need leadership, quick dissemination of trustworthy information. Our response to the current crisis is not to reduce exports, the answer is not ‘sink or swim. This crisis concerns all of us, and only together can we overcome it.
Although still in the 2-figure zone, the number of COVID-19 cases in Romania is growing. In order to prevent the unwanted scenario of an uncontrolled spreading of the disease, the authorities have closed down public and private kindergartens, schools and high schools until March 22, and the period may be extended. Universities will also stay closed until the end of March. The government has decided to earmark additional funds to the Health Ministry in order to prepare hospitals to receive coronavirus patients and to secure proper care for chronic patients.
A special issue has to do with the Romanians living abroad, particularly in severely-hit Italy, who are prompted by fear to come back home. According to the interim interior minister Marcel Vela, the Romanian and foreign citizens coming from regions with coronavirus outbreaks and reaching Romanias western border are escorted by police and gendarmes to quarantine facilities.
(translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)
