From relaxation to immunization

from relaxation to immunization Health authorities estimate life will return to quasi-normal parameters towards the end of summer

If the pandemic stays its current course and social distancing is observed, malls might reopen, Health Minister Nelu Tataru said, referring to a two-phase lifting of restrictions imposed to contain the spread of the virus. Minister Tataru pointed out sports competitions have already resumed, without public attendance, while open-air concerts will admit a maximum of 500 people, a number that may increase. Authorities are still analyzing if outdoor swimming pools can reopen. This is just a preliminary outlook, with any additional relaxation measures being introduced only following an assessment of the epidemiological context. The Health Minister also said infected people who aren't displaying any symptoms might have to stay at home, monitored by their family physicians, in the event the community spread of the virus remains low. Nelu Tataru also says that the wearing of face masks may no longer be mandatory:



"The moment the virus stops spreading at community level, when no hotbeds are reported in hospitals, homes for the elderly or people with chronic diseases, then we will consider eliminating the wearing of masks. The virus spreads mainly via respiratory droplets, so as long as we are sitting close to each other in enclosed spaces, the masks will remain compulsory".



Minister Tataru said a public tender for the purchase of masks for the population is still unfolding. Over the next few days, 115 million masks will be delivered to 2.3 million underprivileged people. So far masks are mandatory in enclosed areas, in public means of transportation and at work, with a few exceptions. The Health Minister said he is considering a "cohabitation" with the virus, when faced with very low levels of community circulation. We are still compiling data and our next seroprevalence survey will give us more answers. The number of people who get vaccine shots will dictate the severity of the phase we are entering, Tataru added. The authorities are looking to make hospitals closed down or turned into COVID support units open to public access again, something which the chronically ill have been insistently asking for. Nelu Tataru also said the authorities can't make the SARS CoV2 vaccine compulsory, but recommend people should get the shot. A possible vaccine might be viable by mid-2021. It's difficult, therefore, to make the vaccine mandatory without a minimum testing period of two seasons. The minister pointed out that vaccination remains key to safeguarding public health, and any opposition to this point seeks only to undermine our efforts rather than rely on science.

(Translated by V. Palcu)



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Publicat: 2020-06-05 14:00:00
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