March 22, 2020 UPDATE 23

Tougher restrictions introduced in Romania as 3 COVID-19 patients die.

Newsroom, 22.03.2020, 20:00

COVID-19 Romania As of Sunday night Bucharest introduced new restrictions to contain the spreading of COVID-19, including a 10p.m to 6a.m. curfew. People will be allowed to leave their homes at night only for work-related purposes, or to buy food or other essential items. The authorities urge people to also limit daytime outdoor activities as much as possible. Retail will be temporarily suspended, except for foodstuffs, veterinary products and pharmaceuticals. Dentists offices will also be closed, except for emergency interventions. Romania has also closed borders for foreign citizens and stateless persons, except for transit corridors agreed on with neighbouring states. Exceptions to this rule include foreign family members of Romanian citizens, family members of other EU citizens or citizens of the European Economic Area or the Swiss Confederation residing in Romania, people traveling for work-related purposes, diplomatic and consular personnel, staff of international organisations, military and humanitarian personnel, passengers transiting Romania or passengers travelling for strict medical or family-related emergencies, people in need of international protection or people traveling for humanitarian reasons.

UPDATE Romania has reported three deaths caused by COVID-19 in the country. According to the Strategic Communication Group, so far 433 cases have been confirmed in Romania, with 64 of them recovered and discharged. The average age of the patients is 41. According to the Foreign Ministry, 8 Romanian citizens have died abroad because of the COVID-19, 7 in Italy and 1 in France.

EU The Romanian foreign minister Bogdan Aurescu will take part on Monday in an informal meeting of the EU foreign ministers, held via conference call. The agenda focuses on the international response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The EU officials will also discuss current affairs, such as the latest developments in Syria and Turkey.

TRIBUTE The well-known Romanian anthropologist Vintilă Mihăilescu died, aged 68. In 1990, he established the Romanian Cultural Anthropology Society, and between 2005 and 2010 he was the director of the Romanian Peasant Museum. Vintilă Mihăilescu was a visiting professor in many universities and advanced research centres in Canada, France, Belgium, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Bulgaria and Hungary. In 2006 the President of Romania made him a Knight of the National Order Faithful Service and in 2007 a Grand Officer of the Cultural Merit Order.

COVID-19 world The president of Italy Sergio Mattarella sent a letter to his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier, expressing hope that other countries will be able to learn from his countrys battle against the novel coronavirus pandemic, DPA reports. Mattarella also thanked Steinmeier for the solidarity and aid provided by Germany, which has sent healthcare products to Italy. Italy is the worst-hit country in Europe, with nearly 5,000 deaths reported by Sunday. Europe reported over 150,000 COVID-19 cases, more than 53,000 in Italy alone, according to a report worked out by AFP based on official sources. With at least 152,000 cases and 7,800 deaths, Europe is the most affected continent, ahead of Asia, where 97,000 people got sick and nearly 3,500 died. According to France Presse, the official number of cases is only part of the actual number of coronavirus infections, given that in many countries only hospitalised patients are being tested. Around the world, 320,000 COVID-19 cases have been reported since the epidemic started. The death toll reached 13,700 and 96,000 patients have recovered.

WATER The UN calls for better use of water to help fight climate change. In a report issued on World Water Day, the organisation emphasised that better management of water resources may contain global warming. The UN says treating larger quantities of used water should be one of the priorities. Up to 90% of the used water is not treated at present, although it is an important source of methane, which is a greenhouse gas. The UN also asks for the protection and reconstruction of wetlands, which store twice as much carbon as forests, while also preventing floods and providing a habitat for wildlife. The report criticises the lack of cooperation between governments in the field of global warming and water management.

(translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)