Drastic measures against COVID-19

Romanian authorities take drastic prevention measures amid alarming rise in coronavirus cases in Europe.

Roxana Vasile, 09.03.2020, 14:00

The situation
generated by the new coronavirus is, for the moment, under control in Romania.
The number of cases is low and announcements of new cases come relatively
sporadically. In an interview to the central press, the president of the
Romanian Society of Microbiology Alexandru Rafila warns, however, that without
extra caution, any country may be faced with an unwanted spiral of new cases
like in Italy. He says the spread of the new virus can take place in three
ways: by import, as is the case for the time being in Romania, by local
transmission and by wider community transmission, when the person spreading the
virus doesn’t show the symptoms and when the authorities can no longer control
its transmission. This is why it’s important that, apart from the coercive
measures taken by the authorities, citizens themselves should be aware that
they have an immense responsibility and therefore must strictly observe the
recommendations made or endanger those around them, including their families.

Under the
circumstances, the authorities in Bucharest have banned by the end of the month
all public and private events in open or closed spaces gathering more than
1,000 people. The measure is enforceable around the country and is not subject
to negotiation or exemption. As a result, football matches will be taking place
without spectators and many cultural events have been postponed. Events
gathering under 1,000 people may take place only after obtaining the approval
of the local public health authorities. The Bucharest metro, which is used by
more than 600,000 people every day, has increased the number of trains,
reducing waiting time, and will disinfect carriages every 12 hours. Also,
posters with information about the new coronavirus and recommended prevention
measures are to be found in the metro and on the platforms.

The authorities
have also recommended the Romanians living abroad in the regions most affected
by the virus not to return to Romania. Raed Arafat, a state secretary in the
interior ministry has explained why:

If they are in
the affected regions, by coming here to visit their parents and grandparents
they risk transmitting the virus to these people and endanger their lives. So
we recommend avoiding and reducing as much as possible travelling to Romania
from the most affected areas.

Moreover, Romania
has decided to cancel all flights to and from Italy for two weeks, given that
Italy is home to the biggest Romanian community abroad. The interior minister
Marcel Vela:

We have
approved the suspension of flights by passenger airlines to and from Italy on
all airports in Romania, from 9th March at 12 pm Romania time until
23rd March at 12 pm Romania time.

Airlines are
also obliged to inform passengers travelling to Romania with layovers from
Italy, China, Iran and South Korea that they will be quarantined when they
arrive in Romania and present them with a statement which they have to fill in
when they get on board. Persons coming from these four countries and arriving
by road will also be quarantined or asked to self-isolate at home. People who
do not comply with the isolation requests to prevent the spread of the new
coronavirus may be fined the equivalent in lei of 4,000 euros. Also, persons
arriving in Romania and who do not accurately state the country they come from
face criminal charges for making false statements. (CM)