New restrictions amid growing Covid-19 numbers
Bucharest authorities have announced new restrictive measures in the context of the coronavirus pandemic.
Leyla Cheamil, 06.10.2020, 14:00
The surge in the number of new infections with coronavirus has prompted the Bucharest authorities to impose new rules, in an attempt to limit the spread of the virus. Health Minister Nelu Tataru announced on Monday some new restrictions imposed on travelers from countries with a higher infection rate than Romania. The National Committee for Emergency Situations has included 49 countries on the list of high risk areas.
Starting on Wednesday, people travelling from these countries to Romania must go into quarantine. Among them are Austria, Belgium, France, Israel, Britain, the Netherlands, Moldova, Spain, the US, Ukraine and Hungary. Minister Tataru explains: ”People coming from these countries and want to spend 3 days in Romania, should present a negative Covid-19 test, taken 48 hours prior to their arrival. People who want to stay longer in Romania, must go into quarantine for 14 days, but on the 8th day they can take a test, which, if negative, will allow them to end the quarantine period on the 10th day. All others will have to observe the 14-day quarantine.”
Local authorities must enforce more restrictions in localities where the number of new Covid-19 cases in the last 14 days goes over 1.5 per 1,000 inhabitants. The National Committee for Emergency Situations has asked county committees to urgently assess the situation at local level and take additional measures to prevent the spread of the virus, measures such as banning private events and closing restaurants. The head of the Department for Emergency Situations, Raed Arafat, has explained the mesures that must be imposed by local authorities: ”Wearing the mask in enclosed spaces and also in crowded spaces outdoors, imposing lockdown in localities with more than 3 cases per 1,000 inhabitants in the last 14 days, if there is community spreading, bannig events such as weddings and baptisms in areas with an infection rate of more than 1.5 per 1,000 inhabitants in the past 14 days and also closing restaurants in such areas. We also consider suspending the activity of economic agents who don’t respect the rules.”
Moreover, the legal framework for the newly-elected local authorities will be created, allowing them to take the oath of office in ceremonies held online, in the case of those isolated or quarantined. Another measure is that religious ceremonies can be attended only by people with the domicile or residence in the locality hosting the ceremony. (Translated by Elena Enache)
