March 11, 2020
A roundup of domestic and international news
Newsroom, 11.03.2020, 13:55
COVID – 19 There are some 500 people placed under institutionalized quarantine in Romania, and they are now being tested for COVID-19. Some 12 thousand are isolated at home and under medical monitoring. So far, 31 cases have been confirmed at national level. The distribution of medicines and sanitary equipment and materials outside the country has been suspended for the next six months, and cultural and entertainment events held in close spaces and attended by more than 100 people banned until March 31st. Schools and kindergartens are closed until March 22nd, but the measure will be extended if need be, in order to prevent the virus from spreading. Also, all road transport services to and from Italy have been suspended until March 31st, just like rail and air transport services. The army will provide medical staff to support the epidemiological triage on border points. The Romanian citizens coming to Romania from or after travelling to Italy, China, Iran and South Korea will be placed under institutionalized quarantine or home isolation.
EC The European Commission will create an EU fund of 25 billion Euro from the existing resources to be used in order to curb the effects of the economic crisis generated by the coronavirus, said the EC President Ursula von der Leyen in a declaration made after an emergency video conference with the EU leaders. She said the amount would be gathered by adding structural funds. In turn, the President of the European Council Charles Michel said that the EU leaders agreed to provide liquidities in order to combat the crisis. The WHO,UNICEF and the Red Cross have stated that keeping the schools open might help prevent the propagation of the new coronavirus by educating children on prevention. In Italy, the country most affected in Europe, COVID-19 has killed 630 people and has affected more than 10 thousand. At global level, more than 4000 people have died and some 113,000 cases of infection have been reported.
ECONOMY The impact of COVID-19 on the Romanian economy is being analyzed today at the first meeting of a special inter-institutional working group established during Tuesdays session of the Romanian Government. The goal is to identify both economic risks and the measures needed to reduce them, and to present estimates and forecasts. The working group, coordinated by the PMs Chancellery and the Presidential Administration, via the Economic and Social Policies Department, includes representatives of the finance, economy, transport, labor, health and foreign ministries. Also participating in the debates are the Central Bank, the National Commission for Strategy and Prognosis, the Competition Council, Statistics and other economic and fiscal institutions, as well as business organizations and associations.
VISIT The Romanian Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu is attending today events occasioned by the anniversary of 30 years since the liberation of Lithuania from the Soviet occupation. On Tuesday in Vilnius, he attended the B9 summit, where he stressed the need for continuing NATOs adjustment process. Against this background, he spoke of the deterrence and defense posture, stressing the need for strengthening the allied presence on the eastern flank, in a coherent manner, including in the Black Sea area. Also, Bogdan Aurescu highlighted Romanias commitment to maintaining the 2% share of the GDP for the defense budget and the national actions to purchase modern military capabilities. Also, he reiterated Romanias support for NATOs role in combating terrorism, showing that it remains a global threat, which requires a careful coordination of all actions undertaken at national, regional and international level. B9 is an extremely useful platform for consolidating dialogue and cooperation between NATOs allies on the Eastern flank.
INFLATION In Romania, the annual inflation rate dropped to 3.05% in February this year, as compared to 3.6% in January, although foodstuffs and non-food stuffs and services got more expensive, according to data made public today by the National Institute of Statistics. Consumption prices in February 2020, against the month of January, went up by 0.25%. the annual average consumption goods price rate over March 2019 – February 2020 stands at 3.8%. In another move, the National Bank of Romania reduced the inflation forecast for 2020 from 3.1% to 3%.
