COVID-19 IN ROMANIA – Another 3,240 new cases of
COVID-19 and 130 related fatalities have been reported in the last 24 hours in
Romania. 1,076 patients are in intensive care. As of today the authorities have
introduced restrictions to limit the spread of the virus. All classes will move
to online until December 9. Stores will close at 9 PM and the wearing of masks
becomes compulsory in public areas. Nighttime mobility will be restricted for
work and health emergencies only. Delivery services, pharmacies and gas
stations will remain open from 9 PM till 5 AM the next day. Produce markets in
interior spaces will be shut down for the following month.
COVID-19 IN THE WORLD – The global number of
infections has exceeded 50.8 million, while the global death toll stands at
1.26 million, according to the latest worldometers.info update. The United
States continues to have the highest number of infections, some 10.3 million,
followed by India and Brazil. Numerous states have returned to restrictions in
an attempt to thwart a new wave of the pandemic. In Europe, France is facing
difficulties, with over 40.000 fatalities caused by COVID-19. Schools remain
open, but teachers have expressed concern and announced a strike on Tuesday.
They are calling for restricting the number of in-class students, reorganizing
cafeterias, taking on additional cleaning staff to sanitize all areas and
additional funds for ventilation systems. Other countries are reintroducing
lockdown restrictions across Europe, although most Governments decided schools
should stay open. Schools in Italy, Slovakia, Belgium and Austria have moved to
remote teaching exclusively, while online teaching has been imposed only for
the secondary education system and high schools in Greece.
2021 DRAFT BUDGET – Liberal Prime
Minister Ludovic Orban will today present the drafts for the 2021 state budget
and social security budget before the Chamber of Deputies. The Social-Democrats
claim the budget law should be made known to the public, adding that, according
to their data, the Government is planning tax rises. Prime Minister Orban said
his Liberal Cabinet wants to adopt the 2021 budget laws by December 31 this
year, most likely after the Cabinet is sworn in. The Prime Minister pointed out
no additional taxes will be introduced. The budget for next year will seek to
ensure investments in transport infrastructure, healthcare and education, and
will also provide all the necessary funds required to pay salaries and
pensions.
VISIT – Foreign Minister Bogdan
Aurescu is today paying an official visit to the Hague, invited by his Dutch
counterpart, Stef Blok. The visit is part of an effort to boost bilateral
dialogue in the context of marking in 2020 140 years since the establishment of
diplomatic ties between the two states. According to a Foreign Ministry
release, the two officials will review the status of bilateral relations and
discuss strengthening cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Minister Aurescu
will tackle hot topics on the European agenda, such as the COVID-19 pandemic,
the 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework, the Recovery Plan, the upcoming
EU-UK partnership, Romania’s Schengen accession and climate change. The
Romanian official will also underscore the importance of stepping up security
cooperation at NATO and EU level as well as promoting robust trans-Atlantic
ties.
US ELECTION – Democrat Joe Biden has won the US
presidential election, but Republican Donald Trump, the acting president, wants
to organize a series of rallies to challenge the results of the ballot. Trump
took again to Twitter accusing the Democrat camp of defrauding the election,
particularly the postal voting process in Philadelphia and Detroit, without,
however, providing any evidence to substantiate his claims. Meanwhile,
President elect Joe Biden continues to work with his team to take over his
mandate in January 2021. Today he is due to announce the setting up of a task
force made up of public health experts, charged with the management of the
COVID-19 pandemic as an immediate priority. On Sunday, his team launched a
transition website listing the top priorities of his mandate, which include the
economy, combating racism and climate change. Joe Biden wants the US to
immediately rejoin the Paris Agreement and the World Health Organization.
HANDBALL – The Romanian men’s
handball team on Sunday evening defeated Montenegro on home turf 36-27 in
preliminary Group 7 of the 2022 European Championship, to be hosted by Hungary
and Slovakia. In the other group fixture, also on Sunday, Sweden trounced
Kosovo away from home, 30-16. Sweden is top of the group tables with 4 points,
followed by Romania and Montenegro, each with 2 points, and Kosovo with 0
points. Romania will next play Kosovo away from home on March 10, 2021. A
four-time World Champion in the 1960s and the 1970s, Romania last qualified to
a European championship in 1996. In the women’s competition, Romania has been
drawn in a group with Norway, Germany and Poland in the 2020 European
Championship, due to kick off next month.
(Translated by V. Palcu)