Romanian authorities take drastic prevention measures amid alarming rise in coronavirus cases in Europe.
The situation generated by the new coronavirus is, for the moment, under control in Romania. The number of cases is low and announcements of new cases come relatively sporadically. In an interview to the central press, the president of the Romanian Society of Microbiology Alexandru Rafila warns, however, that without extra caution, any country may be faced with an unwanted spiral of new cases like in Italy. He says the spread of the new virus can take place in three ways: by import, as is the case for the time being in Romania, by local transmission and by wider community transmission, when the person spreading the virus doesn't show the symptoms and when the authorities can no longer control its transmission. This is why it's important that, apart from the coercive measures taken by the authorities, citizens themselves should be aware that they have an immense responsibility and therefore must strictly observe the recommendations made or endanger those around them, including their families.
Under the circumstances, the authorities in Bucharest have banned by the end of the month all public and private events in open or closed spaces gathering more than 1,000 people. The measure is enforceable around the country and is not subject to negotiation or exemption. As a result, football matches will be taking place without spectators and many cultural events have been postponed. Events gathering under 1,000 people may take place only after obtaining the approval of the local public health authorities. The Bucharest metro, which is used by more than 600,000 people every day, has increased the number of trains, reducing waiting time, and will disinfect carriages every 12 hours. Also, posters with information about the new coronavirus and recommended prevention measures are to be found in the metro and on the platforms.
The authorities have also recommended the Romanians living abroad in the regions most affected by the virus not to return to Romania. Raed Arafat, a state secretary in the interior ministry has explained why:
"If they are in the affected regions, by coming here to visit their parents and grandparents they risk transmitting the virus to these people and endanger their lives. So we recommend avoiding and reducing as much as possible travelling to Romania from the most affected areas."
Moreover, Romania has decided to cancel all flights to and from Italy for two weeks, given that Italy is home to the biggest Romanian community abroad. The interior minister Marcel Vela:
"We have approved the suspension of flights by passenger airlines to and from Italy on all airports in Romania, from 9th March at 12 pm Romania time until 23rd March at 12 pm Romania time."
Airlines are also obliged to inform passengers travelling to Romania with layovers from Italy, China, Iran and South Korea that they will be quarantined when they arrive in Romania and present them with a statement which they have to fill in when they get on board. Persons coming from these four countries and arriving by road will also be quarantined or asked to self-isolate at home. People who do not comply with the isolation requests to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus may be fined the equivalent in lei of 4,000 euros. Also, persons arriving in Romania and who do not accurately state the country they come from face criminal charges for making false statements. (CM)
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