15 March 2020, UPDATE

The main stories in Romania today, as Europe becomes epicentre of coronavirus outbreak.

Newsroom, 15.03.2020, 19:19

State of emergency. President Klaus Iohannis has declared a state of
emergency in Romania effective as of Monday. He explained he made this decision
so that the authorities may be able to better manage the situation generated by
the coronavirus outbreak, having at their disposal all the instruments provided
for by the law. The government will thus be able to allocate more funds to the
healthcare sector to purchase the needed medicines and medical equipment, with
the acquisition process being quicker and simpler. The necessary restrictions
to combat the virus can also be imposed more easily. As of Sunday night, all
asymptomatic persons entering Romania from countries with more than 500
infections will be required to self-isolate for 14 days. The fact that the
spread of Covid-19 was much slower in Romania is the best proof that the
measures taken have been efficient, prime minister Ludovic Orban told a video press
conference on Sunday. He also said the government will issue regulations aimed
at containing the spread of the virus and provide real support to the worst
affected economic sectors.

Covid-19 world. Europe has become the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak, according to the World Health Organisation. Many European states have closed borders and restricted incoming travel, especially in the worst affected areas. Governments are taking urgent measures to contain the virus. Spain, the second worst hit country in Europe after Italy, has also taken drastic measures, imposing an almost total lockdown and a state of emergency for 15 days. Spanish citizens are banned from leaving their homes except to buy essential supplies and medicines and to go to work. In France, cafes, restaurants, cinemas and most shops are now closed. In Berlin, all private and public events involving more than 50 people have been banned. Hungary on Sunday reported its first death. Schools will be closed as on Monday in Bulgaria and the Netherlands. Israel is to close all shopping centres, hotels and restaurants and has announced plans to use anti-terror technology to counter coronavirus. Russia has created a special council to coordinate efforts to fight the outbreak and the US president Donald Trump has extended a ban on travel from Europe to include the UK and Ireland.

Economy. The representatives of the
business community in Romania have called on the authorities to take a series
of measures to support companies at this difficult time. Such measures include
the delay or even temporary exemption of certain tax payments and granting
non-reimbursable or advantageous funding lines to ensure liquidities and
working capital for the companies worst hit. The representatives of small and
medium-sized enterprises also request the creation of mechanisms to provide
assistance to companies in difficulty and subsidies for the payment of salaries
in areas such as transports. The finance minister Florin Citu told a TV station
that the government is trying to help companies survive this difficult period
by postponing certain payments to the state budget. He also said he had talks
with banks, asking them to find solutions to delay instalment payments for two
or three months. He underlined that the authorities are prepared for a number
of scenarios and has assured the funds for pensions, salaries and social
benefits.

Ambassador. In a
statement, the US ambassador to Bucharest Adrian Zuckerman welcomes the
swearing in of the new government in Bucharest and expresses his appreciation
that the people of Romania have united in this time of crisis to address a
problem of global magnitude. He commended the members of various political
parties, in particular the speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, who acted
swiftly to confirm and swear in the new government, thus putting the safety of
Romania and its people above political partisanship. In the opinion of the
American diplomat, this exemplifies the integrity and
resolve that has made Romania a crucial part of Europe’s economic, social and
political community. The people of Romania have no better friend than the
people of the United States, who will support Romania every step of the way,
the statement also reads. The new government in Bucharest, led by the Liberal
leader Ludovic Orban, was sworn in before president Klaus Iohannis on Saturday. (CM)