New quarantine and isolation law
In the context of a new law on quarantine and isolation taking effect in Romania, authorities urge people to observe protection measures.
Roxana Vasile, 22.07.2020, 14:00
The new law on quarantine and isolation passed by the Bucharest Parliament last week has entered into force. Harshly criticised by a part of the civil society that says it turns all Romanians into ʹsuspectsʹ, the law is supported by the political power that sees it as a vital tool in the battle against the coronavirus. Since the start of the Covid-19 crisis in Romania, quarantine and isolation had been decided based on a ministerial order, which the Constitutional Court fund it was against the Constitution. At present, having been passed by Parliament, the law on quarantine and isolation offers the instruments needed to decrease the number of new infections, according to Health Minister Nelu Tataru. Over 39 throusand people have so far tested positive to the virus in Romania, which has a population of around 19 million. The death toll from coronavirus exceeds 2 thousand while more than 24 thousand people have recovered.
Minister Tataru says that the next two weeks are important: ”The number of cases increases progressively at present. We have two difficult weeks ahead, in terms of reinstating the quarantine and isolation measures. Provided that people cooperate and observe the rules, there will be a change for the better. All new hotbeds are handled through epidemiological investigations. If the intensive care units are full, we will transfer medical staff and patients to other medical units, in keeping with the law.”
Until the quarantine and isolation law has been adopted, 4 thousand patients were discharged upon request or refused hospitalisation. All these patients will be now reevaluated by the public health authority. Those who test positive but have no symptoms will be isolated for 14 days at their residence, while those who test positive and also have symptoms will be hospitalised.
Moreover, under the new law, hospitalised patients who test postive to Covid-19 cannot be discharged at their request. People subject to epidemiological investigations will benefit priority testing. Regional quarantine can be instated, in communities where the spread of the virus is significant, even if there are no hotbeds. (Translated by Elena Enache)
