Restrictions for Romanians

As a result of the latest increase in the number of infections, several European countries have introduced travel restrictions for Romanians

Eugen Coroianu, 13.07.2020, 14:00

The
Government in Bucharest might impose new restrictions to limit the spread of
the corona pandemic, considering the epidemiological context at home has taken
a turn for the worse, Raed Arafat, the head of the Department for Emergency
Situations, has explained. The Romanian official told a TV station that
restrictions might be introduced only in certain areas, although a discussion
on this matter hasn’t been raised yet. The statement comes against the backdrop
of a resurge in the number of corona infections in Romania. Authorities say the
main reason behind the latest increase is the fact that people don’t observe
health safety regulations overall, and particularly in holiday resorts on the
Black Seacoast, in the mountains, but also in open-air restaurants in downtown
Bucharest.

I doubt
that, right now, we can stop people from going to the seacoast. We can
introduce restrictions, maybe not at national level, we have to monitor the
evolution of the pandemic. We might end up introducing regional restrictions.
I’m just going to say this: we have to be aware that, if the situation
continues to get worse and infections in some areas are in higher numbers than
in others, there is a possibility these areas might be isolated.

Raed Arafat
pointed out high numbers of infections are reported daily in Bucharest, Arges,
Prahova, Dambovita and Brasov counties. The situation isn’t great in Galati County
either, where 200 cases were reported last week alone. Dozens of medical and
auxiliary staff at the Sfântul Apostol Andrei County hospital have tested
positive for SARS CoV2. As a result of the resurge of the pandemic in Romania,
several European states are introducing travel restrictions for Romanians. The
latest in this series is Lithuania, who has denied all access to Romanians. In
turn, Lithuanian citizens returning home from Romania will be placed in
isolation for 14 days upon arrival. To get to Greece, Romanian tourists must
provide a negative test against COVID-19, no older than 72 hours. A similar
measure was introduced in Austria. Other European states are imposing
quarantine and isolation for arrivals from Romania as a basic rule. Finland,
Slovakia and Malta are such countries. Romanians have to observe similar
restrictions when travelling to Estonia, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and
Hungary. Updated information on travel conditions in the context of the
COVID-19 pandemic is available on the website of the Romanian Foreign Ministry.
The said restrictions are not targeting just Romanians, but all citizens whose
countries are reporting increased epidemiological risks. The lists are
constantly being updated.

(Translated by V.
Palcu)