May 2, 2021 UPDATE

A roundup of domestic and international news.

Newsroom, 02.05.2021, 20:00

PRESS FREEDOM – In a declaration ahead of World Press Freedom Day on Monday, May 3, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, talked about the journalists assassinated in 2020 and said that of particular concern is gender-based violence targeting women journalists. According to the UNESCO Observatory, 76 journalists were killed since 2020, while many more were arrested, harassed or threatened worldwide. The EU official said that press freedom means security for all and defined it as a fundamental right of democratic societies that can only prosper if citizens have access to credible information so that they can take informed decisions. EU will also continue its action to counter disinformation and seek with all partners effective means to support sustainable business models for independent media, Borrell said.

EASTER — In Romania, Orthodox, Greek Catholic and Neo-Protestant believers celebrated the first day of Easter. The faithful went to church to receive the Holy Light brought from Jerusalem. Access to the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest was limited to 500 people. Movement restrictions during the night were lifted for believers who attended Easter mass, but other restrictions like mask wearing and social distancing were still in force. President Klaus Iohannis conveyed a message to all Romanians who celebrate Easter these days, thanking them for their support in fighting the coronavirus pandemic. Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church said in a message that his prayers go to the families affected by the pandemic and urged people to try to bring joy to those who suffer.

HOLIDAY — The Easter and Labour Day celebrations continue in Romania. Many Romanians chose to go to the mountain and Black Sea resorts to celebrate. Around 300,000 bookings in hotels and guest houses have been registered, according to tourism operators. Thousands of tourists took the Black Sea resorts by storm, with Mamaia and Vama Veche as the main attractions. Impressive security forces have been mobilised, to make sure the restrictions in place are being observed. Mask wearing is compulsory and parties on the beach are not allowed.

CORONAVIRUS –The number of new cases of COVID-19 and related deaths continues to decline in Romania. On Sunday, the line authorities confirmed more than 1,080 new infections and 88 related deaths. Over 8,000 coronavirus patients are hospitalized and almost 1,250 are in intensive care. The total number of confirmed infections since the onset of the pandemic surpasses 1,050,000 with almost 28,200 related deaths. Restaurants, theatres and cinemas in the capital Bucharest will be opened and will function at 30% capacity. These decisions have been taken today by the Bucharest Municipal Committee for Emergencies and apply as of May 3. Bucharest is no longer in the red zone, after the 14-day incidence rate dropped below 3 cases per 1,000 inhabitants. The capital city and 13 counties are now in the yellow zone, whereas the rest of the country is in the green zone. In the meantime, the Covid vaccination campaign continues. Four drive-through vaccination sites opened in Bucharest, Deva (in the west of the country), Cluj Napoca (in the north-west) and Arad (in the west). More than 3.3 million Romanians have been vaccinated so far.

PANDEMIC – The Dutch Government has suspended the plans to lift a number of restrictions starting on May 11, because the country continues to register high infection rates. In India, authorities have extended by another week the lockdown of the Delhi area, against the backdrop of high infection rates and chronic shortage of beds and oxygen in hospitals. The country’s capital will be in lockdown until May 10. India has reported the biggest number Covid-related deaths since the onset of the pandemic, after almost 3,700 people died on Sunday alone. In Spain, the government announced that a number of restrictions will remain in place after the country exits lockdown on May 9. Leaders of the autonomous communities say they want night circulation to be further banned and also ask for reduced opening hours for shops and restaurants. According to worldometers, over 152 million people have been infected with Covid-19 across the world, 3.2 million died and 130 million have recovered since the onset of the pandemic. (EE)