Romania further eases Covid-19 restrictions

Romania begins a new phase of relaxing its Covid-19 measures.

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Eugen Coroianu, 15.06.2020, 14:00

New relaxation measures are in place in Romania
beginning on Monday, following recommendations made by the National Committee for
Emergency Situations. Multi-store shopping centres are reopening but restaurants,
cafes and other such public establishments located within these venues remain
closed. Only outdoor bars, restaurants and cafes are allowed to open, provided
a minimum 4-metre distance between tables is maintained and that no more than 4
people from different households share a table. Indoor playground areas for
children, gaming centres and cinemas located in shopping centres are also not
allowed to reopen yet.

More people, namely six, are now allowed to take part,
as a group, in recreational and sports activities outdoors, such as cycling,
hiking, jogging, rowing, mountain climbing, hunting, angling, etc. Private
events in enclosed spaces may be held provided no more than 20 people attend,
while outdoor events are permitted for up to 500 people. Up to six people from
different households can also now mix outdoors. Outdoor swimming pools and
sports and fitness centres are also reopening provided they comply with the prevention
measures laid down in a joint order from the minister of youth and sports and the
health minister. Spa centres are also reopening. Creches and nursery schools,
as well as out-of-school centres are also allowed to reopen under certain conditions.

Prime minister Ludovic Orban said on Sunday that
Romania’s more than 1,300 deaths are proof that the Covid-19 virus is dangerous
and anyone who encourages people not to respect the restrictions to contain the
spread of the virus will put their lives and health in danger. He said all the
figures that have been published are real and represent the truth and warned
that the last few days had seen an increase in new daily cases. On Sunday, the interim
president of the opposition Social Democratic Party Marcel Ciolacu accused the
government of fiddling with official Covid-19 figures, accusations which the
prime minister rejected. The virus is a threat, the virus is spreading in the
community and the measures we’ve taken are aimed at protecting public health,
the prime minster emphasised during a TV interview.

Prime minister Orban also pointed out that hospitals
should not refuse taking in patients who need care and are entitled to it,
referring to cases in which people were asked to take the Covid-19 test before being
admitted into the hospital. The prime minister urged people who have had this
experience to file a written complaint.