From relaxation to immunization

Health authorities estimate life will return to quasi-normal parameters towards the end of summer

Eugen Coroianu, 05.06.2020, 14:00

If the pandemic stays its current course
and social distancing is observed, malls might reopen, Health Minister Nelu
Tataru said, referring to a two-phase lifting of restrictions imposed to
contain the spread of the virus. Minister Tataru pointed out sports
competitions have already resumed, without public attendance, while open-air
concerts will admit a maximum of 500 people, a number that may increase.
Authorities are still analyzing if outdoor swimming pools can reopen. This is
just a preliminary outlook, with any additional relaxation measures being
introduced only following an assessment of the epidemiological context. The
Health Minister also said infected people who aren’t displaying any symptoms
might have to stay at home, monitored by their family physicians, in the event
the community spread of the virus remains low. Nelu Tataru also says that the
wearing of face masks may no longer be mandatory:

The moment the virus stops spreading at
community level, when no hotbeds are reported in hospitals, homes for the
elderly or people with chronic diseases, then we will consider eliminating the
wearing of masks. The virus spreads mainly via respiratory droplets, so as long
as we are sitting close to each other in enclosed spaces, the masks will remain
compulsory.

Minister Tataru said a public tender for
the purchase of masks for the population is still unfolding. Over the next few
days, 115 million masks will be delivered to 2.3 million underprivileged
people. So far masks are mandatory in enclosed areas, in public means of
transportation and at work, with a few exceptions. The Health Minister said he
is considering a cohabitation with the virus, when faced with very low levels
of community circulation. We are still compiling data and our next
seroprevalence survey will give us more answers. The number of people who get vaccine
shots will dictate the severity of the phase we are entering, Tataru added. The
authorities are looking to make hospitals closed down or turned into COVID
support units open to public access again, something which the chronically ill
have been insistently asking for. Nelu Tataru also said the authorities can’t
make the SARS CoV2 vaccine compulsory, but recommend people should get the
shot. A possible vaccine might be viable by mid-2021. It’s difficult,
therefore, to make the vaccine mandatory without a minimum testing period of
two seasons. The minister pointed out that vaccination remains key to
safeguarding public health, and any opposition to this point seeks only to
undermine our efforts rather than rely on science.

(Translated by V. Palcu)