April 5, 2021

A roundup of local and international news.

Newsroom, 05.04.2021, 13:55

Economy. Prime minister Florin Cîţu
held a press conference on Monday in which he announced the creation of an
inter-ministerial committee to work, starting on 1st June, on the
first steps towards a return to normality in Romania. Vaccination is the only
solution to go back to a normal life and restart the economy, he said. He added
that many restrictions would be lifted, but until then mass vaccination must be
stepped up and asked the Church to become involved in the immunization
campaign, especially in the rural areas. Cîţu urged Romanians to get the
vaccine in April and May so that restrictions may be eased from 1st
June. He said Romania will have enough doses to vaccinate 10 million people by
the end of July.

Covid-19 Romania. More than 3,600 new Covid
cases were recorded in Romania on Monday as well as 120 fatalities, with total
infections nearing 980,000 and the death toll in excess of 24,000. 1,478 Covid
patients are in intensive care. The capital Bucharest and 13 counties are in
the red zone, with more than 3 cases in 1,000 people tested. The mass
vaccination campaign continues in the meantime, at a rate of over 50,000 shots
a day. Over 2.1 million people have been given the vaccine in this country so
far, of whom half including the second dose. A new batch of over 511,000 Pfizer
vaccines is delivered to Romania today as part of the EU vaccine supply scheme.
15 new Covid vaccination centres are opening today.

Restrictions Europe. Some European states have
toughened restrictions to combat the pandemic, while others have eased measures
to allow their economies to restart. The whole of Italy is considered red zone,
with a high risk of contagion. Severe restrictions were also introduced at the
weekend in France. Family meetings were limited, movement is only allowed
within a distance of 10 km and non-essential shops are closing, while schools
remain closed. The UK is to publish the new rules on international travel
today. Greece has allowed most shops to reopen and is relaxing restrictions for
spending free time, while Portugal is reopening museums, high schools and
outdoor cafes and restaurants.

Easter. Catholic and Reformed Christians in
Romania, a majority-Orthodox country, are today celebrating the second day of
Easter. The pope held the Easter service in an almost empty San Pietro
Basilica, amid Covid restrictions. The pontiff prayed for the sick, those who
lost a loved one and for the unemployed, urging governments to ensure decent
standards of living.

Russia-Ukraine. EU foreign policy chief Josep
Borrell pledged the European Union’s unwavering support for Ukraine and
voiced concern over Russian troop movements near the border with Ukraine. Borrell
said he would have talks with the Ukrainian foreign minister Dmitri Kuleba and
the EU foreign ministers at a meeting in April. According to France Presse news
agency, Ukraine last week accused Russia of massing troops on its northern and
eastern borders and in the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014. Russia
did not deny the troop movements, but insisted they pose a threat to no one.
The conflict in eastern Ukraine killed over 13,000 people in 2014, according to
the United Nations.

Fencing. Romanian fencer Marco Şovar won the gold medal in the men’s sabre at
the Cadet World Fencing Championships hosted by Cairo. He defeated South
Korea’s Junseong Park in the final 15-13. Romania has 34 fencers and 9 coaches
in this edition of the championships , held between 3rd and 11th
April. (CM)