New restrictions against COVID-19 in Romania
Romania is currently facing an unprecedented epidemiological situation since the onset of the Covid pandemic, therefore new restrictions have been enforced.
Corina Cristea, 25.10.2021, 14:00
New restrictions to limit the number of SARS-CoV-2 infections have been decided in Bucharest and have already come into force. The measures come amid the worst epidemiological situation that Romania has faced since the onset of the pandemic: hundreds of deaths associated with the novel coronavirus daily, more than 20,000 hospitalized patients, an overwhelmed intensive care system and exhausted medical staff. To reduce the pressure on the medical system, the authorities have made the green certificate mandatory throughout the country for most activities. Access to public institutions, restaurants, theaters or cinema halls will be made only on the basis of this document. People can obtain the green certificate if they prove that they are vaccinated, have recovered from the disease or have been tested. Those who choose to go to shopping malls need to be either vaccinated or to have recovered from the disease.
In the next 30 days, people will have normal access in pharmacies, grocery stores, including supermarkets, on condition they observe the required distance and the sanitary norms. Private events, such as weddings or baptisms, are banned and wearing protective masks has become mandatory everywhere, said the Secretary of State Raed Arafat.
Raed Arafat: “For the unvaccinated people, certain locations will be difficult to access or simply inaccessible. I mean, going inside a restaurant during this period will be practically impossible. To enter a public institution, you need to be tested, if you are not vaccinated and have not already had the disease.”
Another measure is the night curfew, people’s leaving their homes being restricted between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., expect for those who have been vaccinated or have had the disease, for emergencies or for those who go to work. Also, employers of public or private institutions where at least 50 people work simultaneously must rethink their work schedule, to have as little interaction as possible. At the same time, in an attempt to limit the number of coronavirus infections, preschoolers and the pupils of primary, secondary and high schools in the state education system, in a first phase, went on an unplanned two-week holiday as of Monday. Afterschool units will not be able to operate either, but nurseries will remain open. At the same time, the sports activities will take place without an audience.
Dissatisfied with the new restrictions, several people protested on Sunday evening in downtown Bucharest. The protesters carried banners and three-color flags, marched to the Health Ministry headquarters and then to the government headquarters. Meanwhile, against the background of the population’s growing interest in vaccination of late, but also of the vaccination marathons organized this weekend in Bucharest, Romania has managed to vaccinate 40% of the population over 18 against Covid, doctor Valeriu Gheorghiță, the coordinator of the national vaccination campaign announced. (LS)
