The latest epidemiological developments cast a question mark over the next relaxation measures

The fourth stage of relaxation measures, which was supposed to be applied as of July 1st could be postponed due to the latest unfavorable epidemiological evolution

Daniela Budu, 30.06.2020, 14:00

The
Technical-Scientific Group consulted by the government in Bucharest has
proposed the postponement of the fourth stage of relaxation measures, which was
supposed to be implemented as of July 1st.

The
proposal came against the background of an alarming rise in the Covid
infections in the past days as many Romanians fail to observe the prevention
rules. The number of daily infections continue to be higher than the number of patients
cured, which means that hospitals in Romania are overcrowded.

The number
of patients needing intensive care is also on the rise and so is the death
toll. In an interview to a TV channel, Romania’s Health Minister Nelu Tataru
has referred to an unfavourable evolution in the past two weeks and for this
reason the introduction of the new relaxation measures has been postponed at
least at the level of the Technical-Scientific Group.

Nelu Tătaru: We
have seen an increase in the number of infections in the past two weeks. In
these two weeks we have seen a higher number of patients needing intensive care
and also an increase in the number of deaths. So the Technical Group experts
have recommended that the new relaxation measures planned for July 1st
be postponed. We are presently handling an increased number of infections and
at the level of this group it has been decided to postpone this fourth
relaxation stage. We are monitoring the situation daily, every week and every
other week and if it improves we will start considering another series of
relaxation measures. And in case of an intense community contagion, we are
considering imposing restrictions in certain locations to isolate outbreaks and
impose quarantine measures.

A
final decision on the issue is expected from the Executive in Bucharest on
Wednesday. The government is also expected to convene on Wednesday for a new
plan of measures against the spreading of the Covid pandemic. Prime Minister
Ludovic Orban, who said the latest developments impose caution, has summoned
the ministers and other high officials from the Interior, Health Ministers as
well as from the police and other state institutions with control attributions.

In
another development, the National Committee for Emergency Situations has
already decided that event organisers who do not comply with prevention regulations
have their license suspended. In their turn epidemiologists have pointed out that
unless prevention measures are observed the number of cases can continue to
rise. Romania has so far confirmed over 26,500 Covid infections. Suceava in
north-eastern Romania ranks first in terms of the number of cases followed by
Bucharest and Brasov, in the center of the country. Roughly 19 thousand people
have been declared cured and allowed to leave hospitals whereas over 16 hundred
people have died.