Prima pagină » News and Current Affairs » Newsflash » November 8, 2021

November 8, 2021

A roundup of domestic and International news.

Newsroom, 08.11.2021, 13:55

CORONAVIRUS — More than 4,200 new Covid-19 infections and 241 related casualties have been reported in Romania in the last 24 hours, according to partial results made public today by the authorities. The situation in hospitals does not show signs of improvement, while the interest in vaccination is starting to decrease again. Less than 25,000 people have been immunized in the last 24 hours, the lowest level in the past three weeks. More than one million Romanians got the booster shot.

EDUCATION – Schools have today reopened in Romania after a two-week holiday imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Classes have been resumed with physical attendance only in units where the rate of vaccination among the teaching staff exceeds 60%. According to data centralized by the Education Ministry, over 1.8 million pupils have returned to school today, while all others continue classes online. Authorities have also announced that every school will have to report the vaccination rate every Friday. The Education Ministry has announced that checks will be carried out in schools, to make sure that sanitary measures are observed and that in about 14 days both pupils and teachers will be tested at school, twice a week.

GOVERNMENT — The Social Democratic Party’s National Political Council has decided to start negotiations for a new government with the Social Democratic Party (PSD), the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania (UDMR) and with representatives of the national minorities in Parliament, the PSD’s first vice president Sorin Grindeanu has announced today. PNL will also make a decision today with respect to negotiations with Save Romania Union (USR) and PSD over forming a new government. Both parties discussed the matter over the weekend and PSD worked on a governing programme that should be accepted by the Liberals and included in a joint governing programme. USR is waiting for PNL to decide if it wants to rebuild the coalition or if it continues negotiations with the Social Democrats. We recall that the minority PNL-UDMR government led by Florin Cîţu was ousted following a no-confidence vote in Parliament.

GREEN CERTIFICATE — Romanian MPs are today starting debates on the draft law that makes the Covid green certificate compulsory at the workplace. The document will be first analyzed by the expert committees and then voted on in the Chamber of Deputies. The law was previously rejected in the Senate, by two votes. The law stipulates that employees who refuse to present the Covid green certificate at the workplace can have their labour contract suspended for up to 30 days, without pay. If they fail to present the certificate after this period, they can be fired if they work in the public system and they can be either fired or have their suspension period extended if they work in the private system. People who do not want to get vaccinated, will have to get tested regularly and pay the tests themselves.

CELEBRATION – Orthodox and Greek Catholic believers in Romania celebrate today the Archangels Michael and Gabriel. In keeping with the Christian faith, Archangel Michael led the Jewish people to the promised land while Gabriel announced the birth of Jesus Christ and of St. John the Baptist. The two archangels are believed to be guiding human souls to Heaven. Around 1.5 million Romanians celebrate their name day today.

DIPLOMACY — Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu is today meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington as part of a two-day visit marking the opening of the 7th meeting of the Romania-United States Strategic Dialogue. According to a press release, Bogdan Aurescu will reiterate Romania’s interest in joining the Visa Waiver program as a key objective for Romanians. Talks will also focus on the latest security developments, with an emphasis on the Black Sea region and NATO’s eastern flank. (EE)