Appeal to responsibility in the context of the coronavirus pandemic

The Romanian authorities are taking new measures in the context of the coronavirus outbreak and are urging people to observe them strictly and get their information from official sources only.

Eugen Coroianu, 13.03.2020, 14:00

“A prudent and responsible behavior is very different from panic. Avoid spreading fake news, that generate anxiety and irrational behaviors. The fake news pandemic is extremely dangerous,“ President Klaus Iohannis said on Thursday, when he addressed Romanians in the context of an increase in the number of coronavirus infections in Romania. “Get your information from official sources only, listen to the public releases of the state institutions and to official news channels, “, Iohannis went on to say. The head of state dismissed rumors according to which entire Romanian cities would be put under quarantine, and urged people not to take pharmacies and stores by storm.

“All these in the context of long queues at food stores where shelves with basic food products, meat in particular and shelves with desinfectants have been emptied. There were also queues at pharmacies, but not very long ones. Representatives of the big store networks in Romania have announced they took measures meant to prevent crowding and that the highly circulated zones will be constantly disinfected. Also, the staff of the stores was instructed and is monitoring the observance of the 1-meter minimum distance between customers, also by using all technical devices available. Working hours have been readjusted so as to avoid the crowding of the public transportation means, a triage procedure has been put into place for the employees, to prevent the access of people with symptoms of infection to the workplace, while customers are informed on the prevention measures through messages and posters displayed at the cashiers. The strict observance of the hygiene measures is the main defense against the spread of the virus and we can all help decrease the risk of infection,“ Iohannis also explained.

Limited social contact, avoidance of crowded areas and a flexible work schedule are also important. Quarantine and self-isolation where needed are compulsory, no matter how unpleasant they may be, the head of state also said, adding that he was optimistic about Romania getting over this crisis. Iohannis called on people to be kind and to trust and help each other. Also on Thursday, the decision to close some of the less used check points, was taken, in order to redirect border staff to the the busier check points.