Radio România Internațional

Tag: relaxation measures

State of alert extended

The Government
in Bucharest this week voted for an extension of the state of alert in Romania
by another 30 days. Maintaining the state of alert, despite the improving epidemiological
context, will allow the authorities to quickly intervene if things take a
different turn. Football fans also received a piece of good news: the match
hosted by Romania in the round of 16 of EURO 2020 will be held with 50% crowd
attendance. Additionally, open-air events and election rallies will be allowed
with a maximum attendance of 1,000 people. Moreover, the number of people
allowed to attend private events has also been increased to 200 for restaurants
with indoor seating, while observing the minimum 2-meter distance between
people.

All relaxation measures introduced in early June will be maintained. Therefore,
up to a 1,000 people can now attend cultural, artistic and entertainment events
in open areas, provided people can prove they are vaccinated, they have the
disease or are COVID-free. The new limit can be exceeded for participants who
also provide similar certificates. The number of people attending indoor events
has also increased from 50% to 70% capacity, allowing for up to 100% capacity
for people who also provide proof of vaccination or that they had the disease.
Gyms are now open at 70% capacity, and the number of people can increase here
as well, again for those providing proof of vaccination. Accommodation units made
available on the Romanian seacoast has also increased. Bars, clubs, nightclubs
and gambling outlets remain open between 5 in the morning and midnight, with 50%
maximum capacity only for vaccinated people. Starting June 1 masks are no
longer compulsory in offices with a maximum of 5 vaccinated employees, but
remains compulsory in other shared areas. In other news, Great Britain is the
only European country still included in the so-called red area of countries presenting
an epidemiological risk. (VP)

11 June 2021
State of alert extended

The Government
in Bucharest this week voted for an extension of the state of alert in Romania
by another 30 days. Maintaining the state of alert, despite the improving epidemiological
context, will allow the authorities to quickly intervene if things take a
different turn. Football fans also received a piece of good news: the match
hosted by Romania in the round of 16 of EURO 2020 will be held with 50% crowd
attendance. Additionally, open-air events and election rallies will be allowed
with a maximum attendance of 1,000 people. Moreover, the number of people
allowed to attend private events has also been increased to 200 for restaurants
with indoor seating, while observing the minimum 2-meter distance between
people.

All relaxation measures introduced in early June will be maintained. Therefore,
up to a 1,000 people can now attend cultural, artistic and entertainment events
in open areas, provided people can prove they are vaccinated, they have the
disease or are COVID-free. The new limit can be exceeded for participants who
also provide similar certificates. The number of people attending indoor events
has also increased from 50% to 70% capacity, allowing for up to 100% capacity
for people who also provide proof of vaccination or that they had the disease.
Gyms are now open at 70% capacity, and the number of people can increase here
as well, again for those providing proof of vaccination. Accommodation units made
available on the Romanian seacoast has also increased. Bars, clubs, nightclubs
and gambling outlets remain open between 5 in the morning and midnight, with 50%
maximum capacity only for vaccinated people. Starting June 1 masks are no
longer compulsory in offices with a maximum of 5 vaccinated employees, but
remains compulsory in other shared areas. In other news, Great Britain is the
only European country still included in the so-called red area of countries presenting
an epidemiological risk. (VP)

11 June 2021
New relaxation measures

The COVID-19 infection rate is going down
every day in Romania, which has enabled the authorities to ease the
restrictions starting June 1, as promised. Therefore, starting next month, the
number of participants in open-air cultural and entertainment events will increase
from 500 to 1,000, provided participants can prove they have taken the vaccine.
Organizers will also have to make sure participants have vaccination certificates.
Private events will allow a maximum of 50 participants indoors and 70 people
outside. In this case as well participants have to be vaccinated. Sports
activities will resume both indoors and outdoors, with venues now opened at 25%
capacity. This limit can be exceeded if participants have taken the anti-COVID
jab or present a negative test against COVID-19 taken before the event.

The number
of people taking part in indoors artistic, scientific or entertainment events has
also increased from 50% to 70% capacity, with the possibility of reaching 100% participation
for vaccinated people. Conferences gathering a maximum of 100 people are also
allowed, with the possibility of including more participants, provided they are
vaccinated. Playgrounds in enclosed areas will also reopen, provided parents
accompanying children can provide proof of vaccination or that they had the
disease. The number of people allowed in sports or fitness venues has also
increased from 50% to 70% capacity, again, with a larger number of people being
allowed provided they are vaccinated. Indoor pools have reopened to 70%
capacity. Restaurants with interior seating have also been allowed to increase
their client capacity from 50% to 70%.

Finally, accommodation units on the
Romanian seacoast have been allowed an occupation rate of 85%. Bars, clubs,
nightclubs and gambling outlets will stay open until midnight, with 50% client
capacity only for vaccinated people. Starting June 1, the wearing of face masks
in enclosed areas such as offices will be allowed for a maximum of 5 employees
who have taken the anti-COVID vaccine. Face masks remain compulsory everywhere
else. (VP)

28 May 2021
New relaxation measures

The COVID-19 infection rate is going down
every day in Romania, which has enabled the authorities to ease the
restrictions starting June 1, as promised. Therefore, starting next month, the
number of participants in open-air cultural and entertainment events will increase
from 500 to 1,000, provided participants can prove they have taken the vaccine.
Organizers will also have to make sure participants have vaccination certificates.
Private events will allow a maximum of 50 participants indoors and 70 people
outside. In this case as well participants have to be vaccinated. Sports
activities will resume both indoors and outdoors, with venues now opened at 25%
capacity. This limit can be exceeded if participants have taken the anti-COVID
jab or present a negative test against COVID-19 taken before the event.

The number
of people taking part in indoors artistic, scientific or entertainment events has
also increased from 50% to 70% capacity, with the possibility of reaching 100% participation
for vaccinated people. Conferences gathering a maximum of 100 people are also
allowed, with the possibility of including more participants, provided they are
vaccinated. Playgrounds in enclosed areas will also reopen, provided parents
accompanying children can provide proof of vaccination or that they had the
disease. The number of people allowed in sports or fitness venues has also
increased from 50% to 70% capacity, again, with a larger number of people being
allowed provided they are vaccinated. Indoor pools have reopened to 70%
capacity. Restaurants with interior seating have also been allowed to increase
their client capacity from 50% to 70%.

Finally, accommodation units on the
Romanian seacoast have been allowed an occupation rate of 85%. Bars, clubs,
nightclubs and gambling outlets will stay open until midnight, with 50% client
capacity only for vaccinated people. Starting June 1, the wearing of face masks
in enclosed areas such as offices will be allowed for a maximum of 5 employees
who have taken the anti-COVID vaccine. Face masks remain compulsory everywhere
else. (VP)

28 May 2021
Call for civic responsibility

Bucharest
authorities on Wednesday made repeated and persistent calls on the population
to observe health safety regulations, after an alarming soar in the number of
corona infections. The main reasons behind the latest increase include people’s
growing indifference in observing these measures. Some of these have been downgraded
to simple recommendations in the wake of a Constitutional Court ruling which
rated the legislation on isolation and quarantine under the states of emergency
and alert as unconstitutional. The Liberal Government has submitted a new law
to Parliament, where the Social-Democrats hold the majority, and whom President
Klaus Iohannis has asked to debate the law as an emergency. Klaus Iohannis
pointed out that the pandemic has been kept in check up until several weeks
ago, but things have taken a turn for the worse, for which both the authorities
and citizens share the blame. The President has called on people to wear masks,
observe social distancing and wash their hands frequently, adding that, should
the situation escalate, restrictions are likely to return. Klaus Iohannis went
on to say that the health system is currently coping with the number of new
cases, warning however against the limited number of beds in intensive care.
The Government doesn’t want to reinstate restrictions, but will take any
necessary measure, Prime Minister Ludovic Orban said in turn. The Romanian
official said we are all equal in the face of this pandemic, criticizing a
number of campaigns in the public sphere aimed at making people believe the
virus does not exist. Ludovic Orban:

When you
get risk you actually risk endangering the people closest to you, because the
virus is transmitted to people you interact with the most. If you don’t care
about your own health and don’t believe the virus exists or is dangerous, then
you should care about your brother, your mother, your father, your child, your
friends and colleagues.

We have
reached a turning point, Health Minister Nelu Tataru said in turn, adding that
no further relaxation measures will be introduced until the number of new cases
goes down. Minister Tataru said that, after the Constitutional Court’s ruling,
30.000 people suspected of being infected with SARS CoV2 have left isolation
and approximately 1.300 are no longer in quarantine centers. On a visit to the
Black Sea coast, Nelu Tataru called on tourists to observe regulations related
to the pandemic, expressing hope a legal framework will be set in place by the
middle of next week, allowing the Government to introduce the appropriate
measures. People who don’t exhibit any symptoms or who request their medical
discharge should stay isolated at home for at least 14 days. Those who do feel
sick should report to emergency wards for an evaluation of their condition,
the Health Minister explained.

(Translated
by V. Palcu)

9 July 2020
May 30, 2020 UPDATE

COVID-19 IN ROMANIA – Over 19.000 coronavirus infections have
been confirmed in Romania since the beginning of the outbreak 3 months ago. Of
these, some 13.000.800 people have recovered and 1.259 have died. Most
infections are reported in Suceava County in the northeast and in Bucharest. As
regards Romanian citizens abroad, 3.000 have tested positive for the virus, the
most in Italy, Germany and Spain. A total of 106 Romanians have been reported
dead abroad.

COVID-19
WORLDWIDE – At global level the number of SARS CoV-2 infections has exceeded 6
million. 2.7 million people have recovered, but 370.000 have died. US President
Donald Trump announced he would cut off all relations with the World Health
Organization, whom he accuses of serving China’s interests. The United States
is currently the most affected country in the world, with the highest numbers
of victims and infections. The US administration has repeatedly claimed Beijing
has deliberately concealed the gravity of the epidemic at its outset, which
prevented Washington from taking the necessary measures to limit its fallout on
the United States. Donald Trump said his administration has detailed the
reforms the WHO must undertake, but the latter refused to act. The American
President specified Washington would redirect the funding to other global
health emergencies worthy of his country’s attention. The American Medical
Association said the president’s decision will make overcoming the health
crisis more difficult and dramatic, Radio Romania’s Washington correspondent
says. Meanwhile in Berlin, German Health Minister Jens Spahn said the US
breaking relations with the WHO is a step backwards for global health, but
pointed out the World Health Organization is in need of reform. European
Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen and the European High Representative
for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, urged the US to reconsider. Global
cooperation and solidarity by means of multilateral efforts are the only
effective and viable means to win the battle the world is facing, the two
European officials said.

REPATRIATIONS – The Foreign Ministry in Bucharest
announced that 550 Romanian citizens were repatriated on Thursday and Friday
from Spain, Belgium, Austria, the Netherlands and Iraq. The action, which is
the result of the efforts of several state institutions, is part of a wider
series aimed at helping Romanians who have been affected by measures taken by
other states to prevent the spread of the pandemic return to the country. These
people could not extend theirs stay abroad for various reasons, the Foreign
Ministry reports. We recall that the Romanian national passenger airliner TAROM
has extended until mid-June the suspension of all flights to and from Italy,
Spain, Great Britain, France, Germany or Belgium. TAROM will however operate
special flights to Amsterdam, Paris, Brussels, London and Madrid over the
course of the coming days.

RELAXATION – Bucharest Government is planning on
further relaxation lockdown restrictions starting June 1. Romanians will be
able to travel between cities without a signed declaration. Taverns and beaches
will reopen while observing social distancing rules. Open-air shows will admit
a maximum number of 500 viewers, while sports competitions will unfold in front
of empty stands. International rail and road traffic will resume. Meanwhile,
shopping malls, schools, nurseries and playgrounds remain closed. The wearing
of face masks is mandatory in enclosed spaces, grocery stores, public means of
transportation and at work. Romanians arriving from abroad will remain in home
isolation, together with their family members.

NOBEL CANDIDACY -
The Doina Cornea Foundation, named after the famous Romanian anti-communist
dissident, on Saturday called on the whole of Romanian society, state
institutions, foundations and associations to support Ana Blandiana’s candidacy
for the Nobel Prize for Literature. In a press release, the Foundation says
this effort must restore Romania’s true values to their rightful place, making
them visible in world contemporary literature, which would be very important.
Ana Blandiana has published around 40 volumes of poetry, fiction, essays and
children’s literature. Her works have been translated into 25 languages and have
brought her numerous international prizes. In the communist period the writer
was banned on several occasions. Once communism fell, she was one of the
founders of the Civic Alliance, which sought to restore Romanian democracy. In
1993, under the aegis of the Council of Europe, Ana Blandiana set up the first
Memorial of the Victims of Communism and Resistance in the world, joined by her
husband, Romulus Rusan. The Memorial stands today in Sighetu Marmatiei, in the
northwest, in the very place where scores of illustrious politicians died in
communist prisons.

(Translated by V.
Palcu)

30 May 2020
May 30, 2020

COVID-19 IN ROMANIA – Over 19.000 coronavirus infections have
been confirmed in Romania since the beginning of the outbreak 3 months ago. Of
these, some 13.000.800 people have recovered and 1.253 have died. Most
infections are reported in Suceava County in the northeast and in Bucharest. As
regards Romanian citizens abroad, 3.000 have tested positive for the virus, the
most in Italy, Germany and Spain. A total of 106 Romanians have been reported
dead abroad.

COVID-19
WORLDWIDE – At global level the number of SARS CoV-2 infections has exceeded 6
million. 2.7 million people have recovered, but 370.000 have died. US President
Donald Trump announced he would cut off all relations with the World Health
Organization, whom he accuses of serving China’s interests. The United States
is currently the most affected country in the world, with the highest numbers
of victims and infections. The US administration has repeatedly claimed Beijing
has deliberately concealed the gravity of the epidemic at its outset, which
prevented Washington from taking the necessary measures to limit its fallout on
the United States. Donald Trump said his administration has detailed the
reforms the WHO must undertake, but the latter refused to act. The American
President specified Washington would redirect the funding to other global
health emergencies worthy of his country’s attention. The American Medical
Association said the president’s decision will make overcoming the health
crisis more difficult and dramatic, Radio Romania’s Washington correspondent
says. Meanwhile in Berlin, German Health Minister Jens Spahn said the US
breaking relations with the WHO is a step backwards for global health, but
pointed out the World Health Organization is in need of reform.

REPATRIATIONS – The Foreign Ministry in Bucharest
announced that 470 Romanian citizens were repatriated on Thursday from Spain,
Belgium, the Netherlands and Iraq. The action, which is the result of the
efforts of several state institutions, is part of a wider series aimed at
helping Romanians who have been affected by measures taken by other states to
prevent the spread of the pandemic return to the country. These people could
not extend theirs stay abroad for various reasons, the Foreign Ministry
reports. We recall that the Romanian national passenger airliner TAROM has
extended until mid-June the suspension of all flights to and from Italy, Spain,
Great Britain, France, Germany or Belgium. TAROM will however operate special
flights to Amsterdam, Paris, Brussels, London and Madrid over the course of the
coming days.

RELAXATION – Bucharest Government is planning on
further relaxation lockdown restrictions starting June 1. Romanians will be
able to travel between cities without a signed declaration. Taverns and beaches
will reopen while observing social distancing rules. Open-air shows will admit
a maximum number of 500 viewers, while sports competitions will unfold in front
of empty stands. International rail and road traffic will resume. Meanwhile,
shopping malls, schools, nurseries and playgrounds remain closed. The wearing
of face masks is mandatory in enclosed spaces, grocery stores, public means of
transportation and at work. Romanians arriving from abroad will remain in home
isolation, together with their family members.

NOBEL CANDIDACY -
The Doina Cornea Foundation, named after the famous Romanian anti-communist
dissident, on Saturday called on the whole of Romanian society, state
institutions, foundations and associations to support Ana Blandiana’s candidacy
for the Nobel Prize for Literature. In a press release, the Foundation says
this effort must restore Romania’s true values to their rightful place, making
them visible in world contemporary literature, which would be very important.
Ana Blandiana has published around 40 volumes of poetry, fiction, essays and
children’s literature. Her works have been translated into 25 languages and have
brought her numerous international prizes. In the communist period the writer
was banned on several occasions. Once communism fell, she was one of the
founders of the Civic Alliance, which sought to restore Romanian democracy. In
1993, under the aegis of the Council of Europe, Ana Blandiana set up the first
Memorial of the Victims of Communism and Resistance in the world, joined by her
husband, Romulus Rusan. The Memorial stands today in Sighetu Marmatiei, in the
northwest, in the very place where scores of illustrious politicians died in
communist prisons.

(Translated by V.
Palcu)

30 May 2020