August 8, 2021

A roundup of domestic and international news

România Internațional, 08.08.2021, 13:47

Covid-19RO. As of today, France is on the red list of countries of high
epidemiological risk – the National Committee for Emergency Situations has
decided. The red zone also includes Greece, Spain, the United Kingdom, Ireland
and Portugal. Unvaccinated people arriving from these countries are quarantined
for 14 days upon arrival in Romania. Children under the age of three and those
between the ages of three and 16 are exempt if they have a negative COVID test.
Turkey enters the yellow list today, which also includes Belgium and Israel, while
Italy and Germany remain in the green zone. The list of countries of epidemiological
risk is updated weekly. In another development, on Sunday, over 200 new cases
of Covid-19 were reported in Romania, out of 23,000 tests performed, as well as
three related deaths. At least 570 infected patients are hospitalized, of which
about 80 are in Intensive Care. On Saturday, police dogs specially trained to
detect COVID-19 indicated three infected people among the approximately 150
passengers of an airline that landed in Sibiu (center) coming from Madrid
(Spain).

Pandemic. People with mild forms of Covid-19, but caused by the Delta
variant of the novel coronavirus, can develop symptoms that can easily be
confused with allergies, an American public health expert has stated. According
to the head of the Louisiana Department of Health, Joe Kanter, the Delta
variant continues to cause well-known symptoms such as cough, fever and breathing
difficulty. On the other hand, according to a recent clinical study, a single
dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine is particularly effective in preventing a
severe form of Covid-19 or death caused by the Delta (Indian) and Beta variants
(first identified in South Africa). ) Thus, for the Delta variant, Johnson
& Johnson is up to 95% effective against death and up to 71% against
hospitalization, the researchers reported. Worldwide, so far, at least 202
million cases of new coronavirus infection have been reported and nearly 4.3
million people have died, according to worldometers.info.

Protests. More than 230,000 people have been protesting in France for the
fourth weekend in a row against a new health permit aimed at limiting the
spread of the coronavirus, according to authorities. These were the largest
protests to date against the health permit, a document that states that the
holder has been completely vaccinated, has recently been tested negative or has
had Covid-19 and has recently recovered. Thousands took to the streets of Paris,
Toulon and Nice, shouting freedom. Starting Monday, the French will need this
permit to enter cafes, restaurants, nursing homes and some shopping malls.
Demonstrations against the introduction of the green vaccination certificate to
participate in indoor events and for teachers took place in several Italian
cities on Saturday. The green passport, an extension of the EU’s Covid digital
certificate, has become mandatory in Italy since Friday for access to indoor
cinema halls, museums and gyms or for dining indoors in restaurants. School and
university staff will need this permit, as will students, and from 1 September
it will be mandatory on domestic flights and long-distance trains.

Wildfires. Thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes in
areas of Greece threatened by wildfires. More than 1,000 firefighters are
trying to put out the blaze. Authorities have placed a ship near the island of
Evia – Greece’s second largest island after Crete – to help pick up locals if
necessary. Emergency services have warned that the risk of new fires remains
very high in the Aegean regions. From Romania, more than 100 firefighters were
sent to help, along with 23 fire engines. In another move, two planes equipped by the
Romanian Air Force are intervening in North Macedonia in support of the
authorities in that country, which is also affected by wildfires. The planes
are a C-27 J Spartan configured for firefighting and a C-130 Hercules for
logistical support. The mission is carried out by 15 soldiers from the Ministry
of National Defense. Turkey’s emergency response teams have also been fighting
against the worst vegetation fires for more than a decade amid rising
temperatures. Massive fires affect cities in the Aegean region and one in the
Black Sea region. Turkey has faced more than 200 fires in 47 cities and
provinces since July 28, at least eight people have died and 100,000 hectares
of forest and arable land have been destroyed.

Budget. In Romania, the first budget adjustment of the year is underway
and could be approved in no more than two weeks. The deficit to be covered is
80 billion lei (16.3 billion euros), and the Liberal Prime Minister Florin Cîţu
demands rigor in the distribution of money according to the capacity of the
ministries to use it. He has specified that he is in constant contact with the
ministers, to receive and evaluate their proposals. The prime minister has
stated again tht he does not agree with the allocation of additional amounts for
the areas where the funds distributed since the beginning of the year have not
been spent. On the other hand, the Liberal leaders are currently participating
in the meetings of the local branches, where the new leaders are appointed, in
view of the party’s national elections due this autumn.

Festival. Electric Castle – the most awaited summer music festival in
Romania – continues today in Bonţida. On Monday, the new host will be Cluj-Napoca,
with several locations. Participants must comply with certain safety rules, and
to be either vaccinated, have a negative COVID test or present proof that they
have had the disease. This edition, according to the organizers, highlights
diversity and experimentation, challenging participants to discover new
artists, new musical styles and new perspectives on everyday reality, in times
when mobility and planning have become challenges. Music, fun and culinary art
are the delights of this event. 250 artists from 23 countries on three
continents will perform and create an electrifying atmosphere, specific to
Electric Castle, until August 15. At the same time, the festival is hosting
educational activities for all age groups.(MI)