May 16, 2021
An roundup of domestic and international news.
Newsroom, 16.05.2021, 14:00
VACCINE – The figures reflecting the evolution of the Covid-19 pandemic in Romania continue to be positive. On Sunday, authorities announced 565 new cases of Covid-19 after almost 18,750 tests were performed. The Strategic Communication Group reported 38 new related deaths. Some 777 people are treated in intensive care units. The capital Bucharest and all counties are in the green zone. The Cluj County has the highest infection rate, of 1.26 cases per thousand residents. Saturday was the day when the new relaxation measures took effect. Thus, the protective mask is no longer mandatory outdoors, but wearing it is still a must in public transport stops, markets, fairs, around schools and in areas where rallies, processions, concerts or other types of gatherings take place. Traffic restrictions during the night were lifted and shops returned to their normal schedule. A record number of vaccinations was reported on Saturday — almost 120 thousand. The 25 immunisation marathons will continue today across the country. The coordinator of the immunization campaign, Valeriu Gheorghita, asked mayors to find additional ways for vaccination, adjusted to the specificity of their communities. Over 3.8 million people have been vaccinated with at least one dose since December 2020, when the immunization campaign started in Romania. Almost 6.5 million doses have been administered so far.
EDUCATION – 90% of the Romanian pupils will physically return to school on Monday. There are about 2.6 million children living in localities where the rate of infection with the new coronavirus is below 1 per one thousand inhabitants. The Minister of Education, Sorin Cîmpeanu, has stated that there are 2,527 such localities. Another 654, including Bucharest, have infection rates above 1 in one thousand, and school will continue online. The Minister has also stated that the syllabus for this years exams has been adapted, due to the fact that most children attended online classes, but that the level of difficulty of the National Assessment and Baccalaureate examinations will remain the same.
PANDEMIC — Italy lifts, as of today, the 5-day mandatory quarantine for European tourists and enforces some relaxation measures. In order to enter Italy, a quick negative antigen test taken 48 hours prior departure must be provided, even by travellers vaccinated with two doses. Greece has also officially opened the tourist season for foreigners. Greek authorities require proof of full vaccination, a negative Covid tests or a proof of having had the disease maximum 9 months prior to entering Greece. Greek authorities can also perform random Covid tests at check points. Poland opens restaurants and bars outdoors and relaxes mask wearing rules. More than 163 million people across the globe have been infected with Covid-19 so far and at least 3.3 million people have died, according to worldometers.info. Most cases and deaths were recorded in the US, India and Brazil.
VIOLENCE — Israel has launched a new wave of air strikes on the Gaza Strip today. One of the targets was the home of Yahya Sinwar, the political leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas. The Palestinians responded by firing rockets at Israel. A UN Security Council meeting is set to take place later today. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to “continue to respond forcefully” to rocket attacks, amid calls from the international community to end the escalating conflict, the BBC reports. US President, Joe Biden, had a telephone conversation with Netanyahu and the Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas. Biden voiced concern at the violence, but reaffirmed his country’s strong support for Israel’s right to defend itself. The international community has criticized the Israeli army’s attack on a tower building in Gaza, hosting the offices of Associated Press and Al Jazeera. President Biden mentioned the safety of journalists and urged for their protection. EU foreign ministers will attend on Tuesday an emergency video conference on the escalation of violence between Israelis and Palestinians.
VOLEYBALL – Romanian mens volleyball national team meets, today, on home turf, in Ploieşti (south), the Slovakian national team, in a new match of Group E of the 2021 European Championship preliminaries. On Saturday the Romanian team was defeated by Switzerland, 3-2. The Romanians, who were also defeated during the first match with the Swiss squad last week in Nitra, Slovakia, have slim chances to qualify to the final tournament. Slovakia ranks first in the group with 12 points, followed by Switzerland, Romania and Albania. The winners of the 7 preliminary groups and the best 5 occupants of the 2nd places qualify for the final tournament of the 2021 European Championship. The final round will be organized in four countries, Poland, the Czech Republic, Estonia and Finland, between September 1st and 19th. Alongside the host countries, Serbia, Slovenia, France, Russia, Italy, Ukraine, Germany and Belgium are also directly qualified, due to previous results. (EE)
