15 March, 2020

The main stories in Romania today, as Europe becomes epicentre of coronavirus outbreak.

Newsroom, 15.03.2020, 14:00

State of emergency. President Klaus Iohannis has declared a state of
emergency in Romania effective as of Monday. He explained he made this decision
so that the authorities may be able to better manage the situation generated by
the coronavirus outbreak, having at their disposal all the instruments provided
for by the law. 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. The necessary restrictions
to combat the virus can also be imposed more easily. The number of confirmed
cases in Romania has grown to 139.
Nine of the patients have been cured and are out of hospital. Almost 2,900 people are
in quarantine across the country, being tested for the virus, and a further
14,600 are in isolation at home under medical supervision. On Saturday, when
Romania entered the third stage of the outbreak scenario, the National
Committee for Emergency Situations announced new measures to prevent the spread
of the outbreak. All cultural, scientific, artistic, religious and sports
events have thus been restricted in enclosed spaces and involving more than 50
people. The essential staff ensuring the running of the nuclear power plant in
Cernavoda are in preventive isolation. Also, postal workers and the repair staff
of the water, sewerage, gas, electricity, internet and telephony networks who
come into contact with self-isolated persons must wear protective equipment,
including face masks, and carry hand disinfectant. In another move, the foreign
ministry in Bucharest says it will give a positive response to the request
conveyed by the Republic of Moldova through diplomatic channels regarding the
delivery of certain medicine. The decision comes after Romania had previously halted
exports of medicines.

Economy. The representatives of the
business community in Romania have called on the authorities to take a series
of measures to support companies at this difficult time. Such measures include
the delay or even temporary exemption of certain tax payments and granting
non-reimbursable or advantageous funding lines to ensure liquidities and
working capital for the companies worst hit. The representatives of small and
medium-sized enterprises also request the creation of mechanisms to provide
assistance to companies in difficulty and subsidies for the payment of salaries
in areas such as transports. The finance minister Florin Citu told a TV station
that the government is trying to help companies survive this difficult period
by postponing certain payments to the state budget. He also said he had talks
with banks, asking them to find solutions to delay loan payments for two
or three months. He underlined that the authorities are prepared for a number
of scenarios and has assured the funds for pensions, salaries and social
benefits.

Covid-19 world. Europe has become
the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak, according to the World Health
Organisation. Many European states have closed borders and restricted incoming
travel, especially in the worst affected areas. Governments are taking urgent
measures to contain the virus that has infected some 160,000 and caused the
death of almost 6,000 around the world. Spain, the second worst hit country in
Europe after Italy, has also taken drastic measures, imposing an almost total
lockdown and a state of emergency for 15 days. Spanish citizens are banned from
leaving their homes except to buy essential supplies and medicines and to go to
work. In France, where more than 90 people have died, cafes, restaurants,
cinemas and most shops are now closed. Although the country is in near lockdown,
the first round of the municipal elections are taking place today. In Berlin,
all private and public events involving more than 50 people have been banned.
Hungary, where a state of emergency was already in place, has established
transit road routes with designated petrol stations and stops. Schools will be
closed in this country as of Monday, a measure also taken by Bulgaria as part
of a state of emergency announced by Parliament. Israel is to close all
shopping centres, hotels and restaurants and has announced plans to use
anti-terror technology to counter coronavirus. Russia has created a special
council to coordinate efforts to fight the outbreak and the US president Donald
Trump has extended a ban on travel from Europe to include the UK and Ireland.

Military. A Romanian soldier aged 51 has died in a hospital in Germany
after suffering a stroke during a mission at the military base in Kandahar,
Afghanistan, the defence ministry says in a statement. After receiving
first-aid medical treatment from the battalion’s medical staff, the soldier was
immediately taken to the Role 3 US hospital at the medical base in Kandahar, from
where he was transferred to Germany on the night of the 12th of
March to the Landstuhl Regional Medical Centre operated by the US Army. Despite
the doctors’ best efforts, he could not be saved. (CM)