Military Order no.4, enforced in Romania over the Covid-19 pandemic
A new military order introduces new restrictive measures in Romania to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus and clarify previous restrictions.
Eugen Coroianu, 30.03.2020, 14:00
New restrictions are in place in Romania following a sharp rise in the number of new coronavirus cases. The measures are part of the fourth emergency order issued by the authorities, activated once the threshold of 2,000 sick people was reached. Interior minister Marcel Vela has explained that the new order brings clarifications as regards the movement of people aged over 65, who are now allowed to leave their homes at all times during the day, but only for medical purposes. They are also allowed to leave their homes between 11 am and 1 pm to buy essential goods for themselves and from 11 am to 1 pm and 8 pm to 9 pm to buy essential goods for their pets and domestic animals. Also, food store operators will have to give priority access to the elderly, in the above mentioned time frameworks.
The Romanian authorities have decided to increase the penalties for people who don’t respect the restrictions enforced to limit the spreading of the new coronavirus. Thus, the persons under self-isolation, who are registered as such, who leave their homes without the authorities’ permission, will be placed under quarantine in special quarantine centers, and will have to cover the costs themselves. Similarly, those who leave the quarantine centers will be placed under quarantine for another 14 days and will have to cover the costs. In order to protect the citizens who live in blocks of flats, in crowded areas, the local authorities must install hand sanitizing devices at access doors and disinfect public spaces.
In economic terms, the new military order caps the price of utilities. Minister Marcel Vela explains: “We have made a thorough analysis of the situation, together with the Economy Ministry and the Prime Minister and we have decided that once this military order is published in the Official Journal, prices for electricity and heat, natural gas, water supply, sanitation and fuels cannot be increased above the level practiced at the date of the issuance of this military order. These can only be reduced in keeping with supply and demand but cannot be increased.”
The Romanian authorities have decided to impose harsher penalties for people who violate the restrictions. State Secretary with the Interior Ministry, Bogdan Despescu, explains that there are also other types of sanctions that can be applied: “Confiscating the goods destined for, used for or resulted from the violation of restrictions, banning the access to those goods, the temporary suspension of activity and of works, are penalties to be applied. I assure citizens that we take all necessary measures to prevent the spread of the virus and that we do not tolerate any violation of these measures. I urge you not to believe and spread fake news with respect to the activity of the state institutions and any other type of activity related to the efforts of containing the spread of the infection with the novel coronavirus.”
Also announced were the new conditions for the protection of truck drivers, pilots and ship crew members. (Translated by Elen Enache)
