State of emergency in Romania: 30 days starting today

President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, has declared a state of emergency in Romania starting on Monday, with special conditions of protection and prevention, in keeping with the recommendations of international public health bodies.

The President explained he made this decision to allow authorities to better manage the situation created by the coronavirus outbreak. The government will thus be able to allocate more funds to the healthcare sector to purchase the needed medicines and medical equipment, with the acquisition process being quicker and simpler.

Necessary restrictions to combat the virus can also be enforced more easily. According to official reports, the number of infections in Romania has reached 159, with nine of the patients being declared cured and now out of hospital. Over 3,000 people are in quarantine and more than 15,500 in isolation at home and under medical supervision. So far, 36 criminal investigations have begun for thwarting efforts to combat diseases.

Also, all asymptomatic persons entering Romania from countries with more than 500 infections will enter mandatory self-isolation at home for a period of 14 days. The measure applies to people entering by air and road. On Saturday, as Romania officially entered stage three of the outbreak, the authorities stepped up efforts, adding new measures to those already taken, such as restricting all cultural, scientific, artistic, religious and sports events in enclosed spaces and attended by more than 50 people. The essential staff ensuring the running of the nuclear power plant in Cernavodă, in south-eastern Romania, are in preventive isolation. Parliament passed an amendment allowing for its sessions and voting to take place through electronic means, in exceptional circumstances.

Source:RRI