March 8, 2020
A roundup of domestic and international news
Newsroom, 08.03.2020, 14:02
Coronavirus — The Romanian authorities have announced a series of measures to prevent the spreading of COVID-19. Therefore, classes have been suspended in those schools where one or several cases of coronavirus infection have been reported. Public and private activities attended by more than one thousand people have been banned until March 31. For gatherings of less than 1,000 people it is up to the local authorities to authorize them or not. The authorities also recommend the Romanian citizens to avoid travelling to the areas affected by the new coronavirus. Also the Romanian citizens from the areas affected by COVID-19 are requested not to come to Romania in order to protect their families. The Romanian citizens who come from the affected areas might be subjected to quarantine measures or self-isolation for 14 days. Also the Romanian authorities have warned that declaring coming from a different area than the real one, which is affected by the new coronavirus, upon entering Romania, is considered a criminal offence. The measures are temporary and depend on the evolution of COVID-19 at world level. In Romania 13 people have so far been contaminated with the COVID-19, the latest 4 cases having been announced on Saturday. Of the people infected with the new coronavirus, 4 have recovered and have been discharged from hospital. 15 people are in quarantine across Romania, and over 12,700 are in quarantine at their homes.
COVID-19 — The Italian government has announced exceptional measures to contain the spreading of the virus in Italy, the European country most affected by the new coronavirus. 16 million people from 15 regions in northern Italy have been quarantined as of Sunday. According to Radio Romania’s correspondent to Rome, education institutions will remain closed across Italy until April 3 as well as museums, theaters, cinema halls and all public spaces where people cannot keep a distance of 1 meter among each other. So far, thousands of cases of infection with COVID-19 have been reported in Europe, mostly in Italy, France, Germany, Spain and Great Britain. The World Health Organization has reiterated its appeal to all countries of the world to make fighting the new coronavirus their top priority, claiming that containing the spreading of the epidemic is key to finding a treatment. The virus has spread to almost 100 countries, contaminating more than 106 thousand people. Around 3,600 people have died, mostly in China.
Women’s Day — March 8, the International Women’s Day, is being celebrated in many countries of the world. Romania marks the International Women’s Day through debates, exhibitions, concerts, book launches and other special events that focus on women. According to the UN, March 8 celebrates the courage and determination of the women who played an outstanding role in the history of their countries and communities.
Government — The Romanian Parliament’s leadership will establish on Monday the date for the vote of investiture for the new cabinet proposed by the PM designate, the liberal Florin Citu. The joint session may be scheduled for next Friday at the latest. 16 ministers have been heard this week and 9 of them have received positive reviews. To be invested, Citu’s government needs 233 votes. The previous liberal government headed by Ludovic Orban was dismissed through a motion of no confidence.
Tennis — The Romanian tennis player Irina Begu (104 WTA) has qualified to the final of the Indian Wells tournament in California. She defeated the Ukrainian Lesia Tsurenko (152 WTA) 6-4, 6-4 in the semifinals. In the final Irina Begu will be up against the Japanese Misaki Doi (86 WTA) who reached the final following the withdrawal of the Russian Vera Zvonareva. (translation by L. Simion)
