New restrictive measures in Romania
Bucharest has announced that Romanians in the Diaspora who return to the country will be directly placed under quarantine or will have to self-isolate at home.
Roxana Vasile, 18.03.2020, 14:41
In Romania, where a state of emergency was declared on Monday, new restrictions were adopted to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. The Interior Minister, Marcel Vela, announced on Tuesday evening that serving food and beverages in restaurants, hotels, bars, coffee shops, and other hospitality units is suspended, both in indoor and outdoor locations. The restrictions dont apply, however, to drive-in, room-service, and home delivery services. All indoor cultural, scientific, religious, and sports activities, as well as spa and personal care services, are also suspended. Moreover, all outdoor events with over 100 people are also banned. Organisers of indoor events attended by maximum 100 people must take measures so that the 1-m safe distance rule between participants is observed. Flights to and from Spain are also suspended for 14 days starting today at 6 p.m., Romania’s time. The suspension of flights to and from Italy will also be prolonged by 14 days starting March 23.
As for the freight transport, Minister Vela said: ”All drivers of road freight vehicles with a gross weight of over 3.5 tons must have upon them and wear protection means such as disinfectants, gloves and masks and must present the documents proving the route followed to the destination. Those who come from red or yellow areas or have crossed such areas do no have to quarantine or self-isolate provided that, when they reach the border check point, have no symptoms of infection. ”
New restrictions have also been imposed in the healthcare system. Interns at the the emergency care, intensive care and infectious diseases units suspend their internship in all other departments where they worked based on a rotation system and continue working only in their speciality departments. Medical students starting from the 4th year and nursing schools students starting from the 2nd year who volunteer will be recruited to support activities in the emergency care units, if needed.
State Secretary Raed Arafat also explained some of the new measures: ”162 special tents have been installed for triage and for easing traffic at border check points. Such tents can also be seen in front of some hospitals, in an attempt to separate patients with symptoms other than fever and respiratory problems. At the same time, the Defence Ministry together with the Ana Aslan Hospital in Bucharest are preparing to set up the ROL 2 Hospital of the Romanian Army and a camp serving the hospital and will use facilities of the Ana Aslan Institute to install a medical unit for the treatment of patients with mild and especially medium symptoms, in case of a surge in infections. ”
Order and safety measures have also been taken and committing crimes by taking advantage of this crisis situation will trigger harsher penalties. (Translated by Elena Enache)
