ALERT The government in Bucharest has for the fourth time extended the
state of alert against the background of the COVID-19 pandemic, upon a proposal
by the National Committee for Emergency Situations. The Romanian government has
also been considering fresh measures to safely hold the local election on
September 27th. Prime Minister Ludovic Orban has said that he has
been considering the use of larger rooms and outdoor spaces allowing people to
keep a physical distance. Voters will have to wear facemasks and demonstrations
of up to 100 people are allowed with the observance of the rules also valid in
case of election meetings. The first state of alert was instated on May 15th
after Romania had been on the state of emergency for two months. The total
number of infections with the novel coronavirus, almost seven months since the
first case was reported in Romania has exceeded 104 thousand and the death toll
stands at 4185.
TENNIS Romanian tennis player Patricia Tig reaped her first WTA title in
Istanbul on Sunday after a 2-6, 6-1, 7-6 win against Eugenie Bouchard of
Canada. This has been the third WTA finals for Tig after those in Baku (2015)
and Bucharest (2019). Her prize closet also includes a WTA 125 K title, which
she won in Karlsruhe. In Italy, another Romanian, Irina Begu, has qualified for
the main draw after a 6-1, 6-1 win against Ana Lena Friedsam of Germany in the
qualifiers. The Romanian will be taking on Elisabetta Cocciaretto of Italy who
benefitted from a wild card. Top-seed Romanian challenger Simona Halep will be
playing in the competition’s second round against Italian Jasmine Paolini.
SCHOOLS An atypical school year began in
Romania on Monday with special coronavirus protection measures in place.
Education is a vital prerequisite for a civilised society, and children are
returning to schools with one more lesson to learn-how to take care of one’s
health and of the health of others, said PM Ludovic Orban in a message on this
occasion. He warned that the danger posed by the disease is not over and that
the new school year is a challenge for children, their families, teachers and
authorities.
DIPLOMACY The Romanian foreign minister Bogdan
Aurescu had telephone talks with his Israeli counterpart, Gabi Ashkenazi,
following the political consultations held during his visit to Israel this
month. According to the Foreign Ministry, the 2 officials reviewed the
preparations for a new joint government meeting due next year. They also looked
at the arrangements for the set up of a new expert group preparing the meeting,
which will focus on mutually relevant topics like agriculture, water
management, IT, cyber security and AI. The talk also occasioned an exchange of
opinions on the Middle East peace process. Romania supports the resolution of
this problem based on international law and on the 2-state solution, Israel and
Palestine, living next to each other in peace and prosperity, the Romanian
foreign minister said. On September 2-3, minister Aurescu discussed with
high-level political officials both in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, and in Ramallah.
PANDEMIC Many countries are reintroducing
lockdowns in the context of a so-called second wave of the COVID 19 pandemic.
The World Health Organisation Sunday reported nearly 308,000 new infections for
the last 24 hours, a new global record, Reuters reports. The most significant
increases were in India, the USA and Brazil. The total number of cases
worldwide is nearing 29.2 million, and the number of COVID-related deaths is
928,000. Israel reintroduced a 3-week lockdown in a move to contain the new
wave. Strict restrictions regarding groups larger than 6 people have come into
force in the UK today. And also as of Monday, face masks, already compulsory in
supermarkets and public transportation, must be worn in all public buildings
and shops in Austria.
(tr bill)
