July 29, 2021 UPDATE
A roundup of domestic and international news.
Newsroom, 29.07.2021, 20:00
LIST – The National Committee for Emergencies updated, on Thursday, the list of countries of high epidemiological risk. Greece, Ireland, Monaco, the Maldives, Bahamas and the US Virgin Islands entered the red zone. People travelling to Romania from these areas do not have to quarantine provided that they are vaccinated. Also, France, Belgium, Israel and the US which previously were in the green zone, are now in the yellow zone due to a rise in the number of infections. The new list takes effect on August 1. Children under the age of 6 are exempted from quarantine while those aged 6 to 16 do not have to quarantine if they present, upon entering Romania, a negative Covid test taken by maximum 72 hours prior to their arrival.
CORONAVIRUS – Romania’s Public Health Institute announced that between July 19 and 25, some 51.9% of the confirmed Covid infections were reported in Bucharest, Ilfov, Iasi, Cluj and Timis. According to the weekly monitoring report, 82.4% of the confirmed cases and all deaths registered during the mentioned period involve people who had not been vaccinated. The number of new Covid-19 cases announced on Thursday was 170 out of 28,500 tests performed. One related death was also reported. 49 patients are treated in ICUs. The Government meanwhile approved plans to further ease Covid-related restrictions starting August 1. Arts, sports and private events are generally open for vaccinated people, for those who have recovered from the disease or for those who test negative for it. The new measures valid as of August 1 will be applicable in areas with an infection rate below 2 per thousand, as against 3 per thousand at present. The maximum number of participants in outdoor events will also be raised to 75,000.
AMBULANCE – Every person who gets immunised contributes to ending this severe health crisis, president Klaus Iohannis said on National Ambulance Day. On the same occasion, he decorated 45 physicians and nurses. The COVID-19 pandemic is not over, even if the number of new cases is lower these days, the head of state emphasised, as he once again urged citizens to get vaccinated. Romania is getting near the target of 5 million people who received at least one dose of anti-COVID vaccine, with a little over 10,000 people getting the jab in the past 24 hours. On the other hand, president Iohannis mentioned that the pandemic shed light on many problems in the healthcare system, but said this is a chance to rebuild it.
SEARCHES — An organized crime group operating in the field of human trafficking, made up of Romanian, Syrian, Iraqi and Egyptian citizens, was dismantled on Thursday by Romanian prosecutors with the Directorate for Combating Organised Crime and Terrorism in collaboration with the Europol. Sources in the judiciary say the group helped illegal migrants to cross the border into Bulgaria and Serbia, heading for Germany. The group would charge up to 5,000 euro per migrant.
OLYMPICS – Romania on Thursday won a new medal in the Tokyo Olympics. Rowers Marius Cozmiuc and Ciprian Tudosă won the silver in the men’s coxless pair final. This is the 3rd medal for Romania’s rowing team, after the gold won by Ancuţa Bondar and Simona Radiş in the womens double scull event, and the silver brought home by the men’s four crew, made up of Mihăiţă Ţigănescu, Mugurel Semciuc, Ştefan Berariu and Cosmin Pascari. Romania was represented in the Tokyo rowing competition by 36 athletes and 9 boats. Adding to this performance is Ana-Maria Popescus silver medal in the womens epee event. (EE)
