May 22, 2021

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Newsroom, 22.05.2021, 13:55

COVID-19 The number of new Covid-19
cases in Romania on Saturday was 455, out of over 28,000 tests. In hospitals, the
number of coronavirus patients is under 3,700, 623 of them in intensive care. Also,
59 COVID-related deaths were reported for the past 24 hours. The vaccine
rollout continues, with several vaccination marathons scheduled this weekend in
various cities. Drive-thru centres are also operational in several parts of the
country. Since the end of December, over 7 million vaccine doses have been
administered in Romania, with more than 3 million people receiving the booster
dose as well.

PILGRIMAGE Tens of thousands are taking part today in the traditional Catholic Whitsun pilgrimage in Şumuleu Ciuc, in central Romania. The organisers have taken measures to ensure the event complies with the Covid-19 safety rules. Hundreds of volunteers have been mobilized to this end, alongside hundreds of gendarmes, police, firefighters, mountain rescue workers and ambulances. Last year, the pilgrimage on Mount Şumuleu, which brought together over 100,000 people from around the world every year, was cancelled over the pandemic. In 2019, on June 1, Pope Francis travelled to Şumuleu Ciuc, where he held a service devoted to Mary, the Mother of God. The Şumuleu Ciuc pilgrimage dates back more than 450 years.

MOLDOVA In the Republic of Moldova the campaign for next months snap elections has officially started. Political analysts say this would be a tough race between pro-European and pro-Russian parties. The pro-European Action and Solidarity Party, founded by the incumbent president of the country, Maia Sandu, promised a fair and clean campaign, to gain citizens trust. Their main opponent is the Socialists Party headed by the former president Igor Dodon, which forms a pro-Russian electoral bloc together with Vladimir Voronins Communists. Also running for seats in parliament is the party headed by the mayor of Bălţi town, Renato Usatyi, which aims to win over a chunk of the pro-Moscow electorate, and a party headed by Ilan Shor, the hideaway tycoon who lives in Israel after having been sentenced to 7 years in prison by a court of first instance, following the USD 1 billion bank fraud scandal.

PANDEMIC As of Monday Spain opens its borders to travelers from countries deemed safe, such as the UK, Austria, China, Israel and Japan, without healthcare restrictions, the Radio România corrspondent in Madrid reports. As of June 7 travellers who have completed a full vaccination scheme approved by the WHO or the European Medicines Agency will also be welcomed to the country. Austria has also revised entry conditions, with the new measures to be enforced as of the end of June. People travelling to Austria from countries for which travel alerts are not in place, Romania included, are exempt from self-isolation requirements. Entry into Austria is allowed for those who produce a vaccination certificate, a negative SARS-CoV-2 test or an anti-body test taken in the past 3 months. Tests are not required for children up to 10 years of age.

EUROVISION 26 countries are competing tonight for the 2021 Eurovision trophy. The worlds largest televised song competition is held this year in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. This is the years first major global performance, although held under strict COVID-19 containment measures. Only 3,500 people will be allowed in the venue, to watch artists from the entire Europe. The public must present negative COVID-19 tests and will wear face masks. Romania failed to qualify into this years Eurovision final. Over the years, Romanias best performances in this competition were two 3rd places (in 2005 and 2010) and a 4th place in 2006. (tr. A.M. Popescu)