Romania to further ease restrictions
The authorities in Bucharest say they are further relaxing coronavirus restrictions as of 15 June.
Eugen Coroianu, 12.06.2020, 14:00
Restrictions
imposed to contain the coronavirus pandemic will be eased further on Monday 15th
June. The National Committee for Emergency Situations and the government met on
Thursday in Bucharest to evaluate the situation and plan what to do next. Speaking
about travellers arriving in Romania from abroad, prime minister Ludovic Orban said
some will be asked to isolate at home depending on the countries they are
coming from. The assessment will be made by the National Public Health
Institute based on European recommendations. Ludovic Orban explains:
Based on this methodology, a coefficient
will be established reflecting the rate of transmission based on the number of
average infections in the last 14 days. Travellers from countries where this
coefficient is below 5 will no longer be obliged to self-isolate at home for 14
days. Let me give you a few examples. The countries with a low transmission rate
include Austria, Bulgaria, Greece and other European countries. It is in a way
natural to begin lifting the self-isolation requirement which is creating
problems for many citizens. Also, air travel can be resumed with the countries
where the coefficient is below 5.
The prime minister has announced
that beginning on 15th June, all shopping centres and other multi-store
commercial venues will reopen, with the exception of any restaurants, cafes, children
playground areas and cinemas located within them. Spas, the offices of the
Romanian Lottery and gambling and betting centres will also reopen. Swimming pools
with outdoor access will reopen as well and the number of persons in a group who
can take part in sports and recreational activities outdoors will increase from
three to six.
Financial support for parents
staying at home with their children will stop at the end of the school year,
while some nursery schools and out-of-school centres that are normally open
during the summer holiday will be able to reopen under very strict conditions, the
prime minister also said. Some of the measures taken to support businesses
during the pandemic and which were supposed to expire at the end of the month will
be extended until 25th October. Prime minister Ludovic Orban says a
government order on the extension of the state of alert will be issued next week.
The Social Democratic Party in
opposition and the party with the largest number of MPs, believes, however,
that only a few prevention measures should be maintained and says it’s not
going to vote for the extension of the state of alert for another thirty days.
