New measures to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus in Romania

JUST IN: Government issues new military decree

România Internațional, 09.04.2020, 23:31

The Romanian
government passes new military decree further regulating movement,
cross-border travel, commercial and economic activity, food security and social
services as part of efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19.

In a televised press
conference, interior minister Marcel Vela made an appeal to all Romanians
to stay indoors and keep social distance particularly in the period coming up to and during the Orthodox Easter holidays, when people traditionally attend
masses at churches across the country in large numbers and get together with
families and friends. I am aware I’m addressing a Christian and moral
people, but by staying indoors and observing all restrictions we will go back
to normalcy sooner, said minister Vela, adding: I know you want to go to
church to attend the Resurrection mass, but it’s better to stay at home to
avoid a skyrocketing number of new cases.

The authorities are also expecting many
Romanians working abroad, in western Europe, in particular, to return to their
home country for Easter to visit their families and are trying to discourage them
to travel in large numbers. An
existing ban on passenger flights to and from Spain has been extended for another
two weeks, and all Romanian citizens entering the country will be ordered to
quarantine, with the exception of cross-border workers and other categories of technical
staff.

The
new government order also places a ban on the export of certain grains, cereals
and cereal products, such as wheat and wheat flour, barley, oats, maize, rice, as
well as oil and sugar. The
emergency order allows produce markets to stay open for the duration of the
state of emergency, provided they comply with the hygiene requirements in
place. Also, in the runup to the Easter holidays, shops can extend their opening
hours. The decree eases travel and movements restrictions for
commercial fishermen, bee keepers and farm producers, as well as for car service
providers, provided they produce a number of required documents.

The Military Decree no.8, which is soon to be published in the Official
Gazette, complements the other 7 decrees issued so far.