Covid-19 red zone expands in Romania

A growing number of cities in Romania are being included in the so-called Covid-19 red zone

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Bogdan Matei, 23.03.2021, 14:00

The week did not begin too well for Romanians: the number of coronavirus infections is growing steadily, hospitals and ICUs are once again overcrowded, and as a result on Monday several cities in the country were included in the so-called “red zone. This means additional restrictions in places where the infection rate is over 3 per thousand.

The red zone includes the capital city Bucharest and the neighbouring county, Ilfov, as well as Constanţa, in the south-east, and the counties of Timiş, Hunedoara, Cluj, Braşov, Alba and Sălaj, in the west of the country.

Ilfov County, where most localities are virtually satellites of Bucharest, reports the highest infection rate, and most of its towns and villages are under lockdown.

The authorities say they are not considering similar measures in Bucharest, the biggest, most dynamic and most populated city in Romania. Many Ilfov residents work in Bucharest and commute on a daily basis, and their children go to school in the capital city.

With growing scepticism as regards lockdowns, commentators are noting the failure of this measure in Timişoara, where after 2 weeks in lockdown the number of new COVID-19 cases is higher than before. The same happened in 4 villages near the city.

A member of the National Liberal Party, just like most government members, the chairman of the Timiş County Council Alin Nica said the head of the Department for Emergency Situations Raed Arafats decision to extend the zonal lockdown in Timşoara was abusive and that legal action against it was considered.

Local authorities in Bucharest, from the prefect to the mayor general and sector mayors, say they want to avoid a lockdown and will step up checks and inspections in shopping malls and farmers markets at the weekend.

Also a Liberal, PM Florin Cîţu said in turn he was trying to keep the economy open, which is why he would listen to all opinions and suggestions coming from experts. The PM has once again urged citizens to observe the containment measures introduced by the authorities, which in his opinion are among the most relaxed in the EU. It is high time the solutions came from the local authorities, the PM argued.

The Social Democrats in opposition claim the Cabinet fails to take responsibility for their handling of the new wave of this pandemic and is trying to shift responsibility to local authorities.

Meanwhile, people seem to have run out of patience. This past weekend, just like in many other places in Europe, protests were held in Bucharest and other cities against the pandemic containment measures imposed more than a year ago. (tr. A. M. Popescu)