When will restrictions be eased?

Authorities are cautious about easing restrictions imposed under the COVID-19 lockdown, despite increasing demands from the public

Eugen Coroianu, 21.04.2020, 14:00

We are not
considering any ease in restrictions over the coming period, the Group for Strategic
Communication in Bucharest announced, after the public media was flooded with
various suggestions in this respect. In a press release the Group says that the
measures taken so far have proven their effectiveness in limiting the spread of
the coronavirus and the public must strictly observe them over the coming
period as well. Debates regarding the gradual lifting of restrictions should
take under advisement the evolution of the epidemic, as well as the need to prevent
the risk of a second wave of infections. The authorities are submitting
constant estimates over the evolution of the virus, which are based first and
foremost on social behavior and citizens’ rate of compliance with the adopted
measures. As several specialists have announced publicly, the authorities are
waiting for approximately 10 days to see if the Easter Holidays, when social
activity somewhat increased, would have an impact on the evolution of COVID-19.
Health Minister Nelu Tataru:

We are still
on an upward trend, the number of infections is going up, so is the death toll.
Considering the infection rate right now and the fact that only part of society
observed the isolation and social distancing, we will make an assessment of the
curb 10 days from now. Once the pandemic peaks, we will have two weeks to
monitor any drop in the number of infections and deaths, and the evolution in existing
or future hotbeds of infection. Starting May 15 we may consider an ease in
restrictions, but I repeat, we are not there yet.

Minister
Tataru pointed out that no special restrictions will be imposed on the elderly,
claiming that authorities will consider all age brackets when easing
restrictions. Minister Tataru’s statement follows a flow of speculation in
public media that stirred a great deal of unrest. The Romanian official said
the ease in restrictions will take into account each geographic region
separately, depending on infection hotbeds. Some labor sectors will be opened
and some outlets in shopping centers, while keeping social distancing and
isolation in place. For certain towns and village and hotbeds we will start by
stipulating the number of hours we are allowed to go out, including for the
elderly. This relaxation will also target the areas where we can go out. All of
that will involve a certain dynamic for each hotbed and location, the moment we
see the area is safe. The state of emergency is in place until May 15, after
which point we will reassess, Minister Tataru also said. The analysis of
measures aimed at easing restrictions will also take into account the
recommendations of the European Commission and will be carried out in
coordination with the other Member States.

(Translated
by V. Palcu)