RRI Live!

Listen to Radio Romania International Live

Vaccination, a chance for relaxation

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

Vaccination, a chance for relaxation
Vaccination, a chance for relaxation

, 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)

Photo: Facebook.com/repatriot/
Today in the News Friday, 04 October 2024

A RePatriot Summit in Bucharest

During a summit dedicated to the Diaspora in Bucharest on Thursday, the authorities’ representatives underlined the importance of the Romanians...

A RePatriot Summit in Bucharest
(photo: Septimiu / pixabay.com)
Today in the News Thursday, 03 October 2024

Budget deficit reduction plan

By October 15, Romania should present the European Commission with a plan to reduce budget deficit, by October 15.   Rating agencies, economists...

Budget deficit reduction plan
sursă foto: pixabay.com@ useche360
Today in the News Thursday, 03 October 2024

Recent unemployment figures in Romania

The number of people without a job increased slightly in Romania in August. The 0.1% increase in unemployment, however, indicates a slowdown in...

Recent unemployment figures in Romania
Photo: romania-actualitati.ro
Today in the News Wednesday, 02 October 2024

Mugur Isărescu is re-elected governor of the National Bank of Romania

The National Bank of Romania needs continuity of leadership, as well as the transition to a younger generation of specialists, the Bank’s current...

Mugur Isărescu is re-elected governor of the National Bank of Romania
Today in the News Wednesday, 02 October 2024

Romanians to enjoy visa-free travel to the US?

Romania formally fulfils all technical criteria for entering the US Visa Waiver program and Romanian citizens would most likely be able to travel...

Romanians to enjoy visa-free travel to the US?
Today in the News Tuesday, 01 October 2024

NATO, new leadership

  As of Tuesday, October 1, the NATO secretary general is the Dutch ex PM Mark Rutte. He takes over the highest political position in the...

NATO, new leadership
Today in the News Tuesday, 01 October 2024

Romania sees fall in foreign investment

The National Bank of Romania announced a significant drop in direct foreign investments last year compared with 2022. Their net flow in 2023 reached...

Romania sees fall in foreign investment
Today in the News Monday, 30 September 2024

The Romanian foreign minister at the UN

    Russia’s attacks on the civilian infrastructure in Ukraine carry on, and consolidating the defence in this country is important,...

The Romanian foreign minister at the UN

Partners

Muzeul Național al Țăranului Român Muzeul Național al Țăranului Român
Liga Studentilor Romani din Strainatate - LSRS Liga Studentilor Romani din Strainatate - LSRS
Modernism | The Leading Romanian Art Magazine Online Modernism | The Leading Romanian Art Magazine Online
Institului European din România Institului European din România
Institutul Francez din România – Bucureşti Institutul Francez din România – Bucureşti
Muzeul Național de Artă al României Muzeul Național de Artă al României
Le petit Journal Le petit Journal
Radio Prague International Radio Prague International
Muzeul Național de Istorie a României Muzeul Național de Istorie a României
ARCUB ARCUB
Radio Canada International Radio Canada International
Muzeul Național al Satului „Dimitrie Gusti” Muzeul Național al Satului „Dimitrie Gusti”
SWI swissinfo.ch SWI swissinfo.ch
UBB Radio ONLINE UBB Radio ONLINE
Strona główna - English Section - polskieradio.pl Strona główna - English Section - polskieradio.pl
creart - Centrul de Creație Artă și Tradiție al Municipiului Bucuresti creart - Centrul de Creație Artă și Tradiție al Municipiului Bucuresti
italradio italradio
Institutul Confucius Institutul Confucius
BUCPRESS - știri din Cernăuți BUCPRESS - știri din Cernăuți

Affiliates

Euranet Plus Euranet Plus
AIB | the trade association for international broadcasters AIB | the trade association for international broadcasters
Digital Radio Mondiale Digital Radio Mondiale
News and current affairs from Germany and around the world News and current affairs from Germany and around the world
Comunità radiotelevisiva italofona Comunità radiotelevisiva italofona

Providers

RADIOCOM RADIOCOM
Zeno Media - The Everything Audio Company Zeno Media - The Everything Audio Company