Vaccination, a chance for relaxation

A large number of vaccinated Romanians will allow a relaxation of restrictions this summer, Bucharest authorities say

Ştefan Stoica, 05.05.2021, 13:50

A year ago, all over the world, except in countries led by leaders as vocal as they were irresponsible, restrictions became the new normal. Accompanied by drastic health measures and the authorities’ effort to convince the population that hygiene and physical distance are mandatory, not just necessary, restrictive measures have been the way to curb the number of infections, deaths and the collapse of health systems.

What has changed radically in the last half year has been the emergence of vaccines, seen as a chance to return to life as it was before the pandemic. In Romania, just as elsewhere, the call for vaccination is also a plea for normality, which has become the leitmotif of the public messages launched by authorities.

The relaxation of anti-COVID measures, going as far as eliminating the obligation of wearing a mask outdoors, but not earlier than August, depends on the vaccination rate, Prime Minister Florin Cîţu has said. He has stated that the target is 5 million people vaccinated by June 1, when some of the restrictions will be lifted if things go well. A relaxation of the restrictions for the summer period in tourism and the HoReCa industry will be considered, depending on the pace of vaccination, and the main beneficiaries will the Romanians who have got the jab.

Florin Citu: It is clear that we can talk about not wearing masks on the beach, for example, or if we go to the mountains, on a hike, but we can also talk about facilities for vaccinated people. We can talk, for example, about restaurants and hotels receiving guests at 100% capacity if they are vaccinated. We can talk about private events for vaccinated people. We will hold such pilot events in Bucharest and Cluj and I am sure that the results will be good.

The Bucharest authorities are working on a strategy for the vaccination of children aged 12 to 15, once the Pfizer vaccine is approved for this age group. The first vaccination target for adults, 5 million until June 1, is possible, the head of the national vaccination campaign, doctor Valeriu Gheorghiţă says, but he also stresses the importance of precaution:

Any relaxation measure is important to come with a very careful epidemiological surveillance, a monitoring of at least two weeks, to highlight the possible impact, and so gradually other measures can be relaxed. For this reason, it is important that as many people as possible get the vaccine, because a vaccinated person is a much better protected person and the possibility of infection decreases.

In big cities, vaccination works well. The champions are the capital Bucharest and Cluj (northwest). Nationwide, nearly 3.5 million people have received at least one dose, and more than 2 million have got both jabs. Romania is now ranked sixth in Europe and 18th in the world with regard to vaccination rate. (MI)