Lifting of restrictions starting June 1

Authorities in June might ease some of the restrictions introduced to stop the spread of the coronavirus

Ştefan Stoica, 06.04.2021, 14:00

Romanians are expecting a
return to normalcy, albeit gradual, without being hampered by restrictions and
bans imposed under the pandemic. This prospect is now real: Prime Minister Florin
Cîţu on Monday said some of the restrictions might be lifted starting June so
as to return to a normal state of affairs. Florin Cîţu said an
inter-ministerial committee was set up which will include representatives of
employers’ associations and others. Over the next period the committee will
examine a number of decisions to ease restrictions. The Prime Minister warned,
however, that vaccination must continue at an accelerated pace if we are to
reach that point.

April and May are two
important months, because we will receive nearly 8.3 million doses of
anti-COVID vaccine. At the end of May, in the worst-case scenario, we will have
5 million people who’ve taken the vaccine, which accounts for 35% of the
population. At best we will have 6.3 million people who will have taken the
vaccine. At the end of May we can start talking about economic recovery. It’s
extremely important, and I call on all politicians, the governing coalition,
elected mayors and councilmen, presidents of county councils, to promote the
vaccination campaign. All Romanians must receive updated information regarding
this campaign.

Prime Minister Florin Cîţu
explained the Church must also get involved, particularly in rural areas, where
the vaccination percentage is extremely low right now. All Romanians must
receive accurate information in order to get immunized, Florin Cîţu said,
adding that he discussed these matters in a meeting with representatives of
religious denominations. The Romanian Orthodox Church recalls in a press
release its pro-vaccination stance. Romanian Patriarchy spokesman, Vasile Bănescu, said that
parishioners are provided with all the necessary information in a leaflet
printed by the authorities. Vasile Bănescu also said he has taken the vaccine
shot and urged everyone to inform themselves on the vaccine and make the best
choice for themselves and their loved ones. The authorities are preparing a new
awareness-raising campaign amidst fears that million of doses of vaccine will
be lost due to people refusing to take the vaccine. Since the start of the
vaccination campaign, some 2.1 million people in Romania have received the anti-COVID
shot, of which 1.2 million have received both doses. (V.P.)