January 17, 2022
A roundup of domestic and international news
Newsroom, 17.01.2022, 13:55
COVID-19 ROMANIA – On Monday, the authorities announced 8,000 new cases of COVID-19 infection and 17 related fatalities. Right now, 12 counties and the capital-city are in the so-called red zone with an incidence rate exceeding 3 per thousand inhabitants. However, the situation in hospitals is significantly different compared to the fourth wave of the pandemic. Whereas in late September Romania was reporting 10,000 new infections every day, 11,500 patients being treated in hospitals, of whom 1,270 in intensive care, right now a total of 3,600 people are being treated for COVID in hospitals across Romania, of whom 500 in intensive care.
COVID-19 WORLD – The French Parliament on Sunday ratified the law whereby the vaccination certificate is the only acceptable means of accessing most public venues. The vaccination certificate thus becomes the new green certificate. The regulations apply to all adults and children under 16 years of age. The authorities have also introduced harsher sanctions for people using forged certificates – culprits risk three years imprisonment and up to 45 thousand-Euro fines. The government wants to enact the new law by the end of the week, whereas the radical left-wing has referred the law to the Constitutional Council. Meanwhile, Austria has become the first country in the EU where anti-COVID-19 vaccination is mandatory for adults. At the end of week-long heated debates in Parliament and amidst massive protests staged in Vienna, the authorities have confirmed the law will take effect starting February. Fines will range from 600 to 3,600 Euros, in the case of reoffenders.
ENERGY – The Government will modify the law on capping and subsidizing energy bills, Energy Minister Virgil Popescu has announced, adding that the subsidy for natural gas bills might be increased from 33 to 50%. Measures to extend the current government assistance scheme for both household users and SMEs will be included in the new draft emergency decree, which is expected to be passed this week, Minister Popescu went on to say. Trade unions claim energy prices should be capped, both for producers and distributors, for at least six months, tantamount to the reference level of December 2020, prior to the liberalization of the market.
SCHOOL – The second semester of the 2021-2022 school year has started today, with nursery school, school and high-school pupils returning to full physical class attendance. Starting today, the provisions of the new joint decree of the Health and Education ministries have taken effect, impacting the functioning of schooling units. Under the new decree, the incidence rate and the vaccination of teaching staff are no longer to be considered as criteria for moving classes online. The authorities decided that classes should move online only when 75% of beds for COVID patients, including in ICUs, are taken.
UKRAINE – The United States is expected to take a decision early this week regarding the conflict in Ukraine, after US-Russia talks last week failed to provide a solution. We are ready for all scenarios. If Russia wants to pursue a diplomatic solution, we are ready to do that jointly with our partners. If Russia chooses to escalate the situation and invade Ukraine, we have prepared a firm response, Jake Sullivan, advisor to US president Joe Biden, has announced. Washington accuses Moscow of seeking a “reason” to invade Ukraine, after having built up a hundred-thousand-strong military force outside this countrys borders. The Kremlin has denied the accusations, claiming it only wants to defend itself against NATOs threatening posture close to its borders. Russia has asked for guarantees that Ukraine should be denied access into NATO, a concession the Allies are unwilling to make.
TENNIS – At the Australian Open in Melbourne, Gabriela Ruse (82 WTA) earlier today knocked out Jasmine Paolini of Italy (52 WTA) in the opening round, 6-1, 6-3. Also today, Jaqueline Cristian (73 WTA) ousted Greet Minnen of Belgium (84 WTA) in her first match at the Australian Open, score 7-5, 6-4. Another Romanian, Irina Bara, lost to Nuria Parrizas Diaz of Spain. Bara, no. 134 in WTA standings, had been awarded a “lucky loser” spot in the main draw after Ons Jabeur of Tunisia had to withdraw for medical reasons. Another three Romanian tennis players will represent Romania in the womens singles: Simona Halep, Sorana Cîrstea and Irina Begu. (VP)
