Romania’s state of alert extended. COVID-19 report on October 15
The government in Romania has decided to extend by another 30 days a state of alert already under way. The measure goes into force today (Thursday) while restrictions previously imposed by the country’s Department for Emmergency Situations (DSU) remain in place, according to a Romanian Radio (RRA) report. The announcement was made by DSU head Raed Arafat. One of the crucial provisions approved by the government relates to the mandatory wearing of face masks in all public places in towns, cities and rural areas where the coefficient of reported infections over 14 days per 1,000 residents exceeds the threshold of three, Mr. Arafat told a press conference on Wednesday. A further ban of organising private events with large number of participants is maintained, Mr. Arafat added. On Thursday, Romania reported 4,013 new COVID-19 cases, a significant daily jump since the pandemic began, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 168,490. 125.009 people had been cured while 5,674 died, according to figures issued by the country’s Strategic Communication Group (GCS).
Romania’s President at a EU Council summit in Brussels
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis is expected to attend a two-day meeting of the EU Council in Brussels on Thursday. EU leaders meet to discuss issues concerning the current COVID-19 crisis, relations with the UK along with issues concerning the climate change and EU’s relations with Africa. Leaders will also discuss overall co-ordination and work on the development and distribution of a vaccine at EU level. On October 13, the Council adopted a recommendation establishing common criteria and framewaork on travel measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Recommendations are designed to help Member States in their decision-making based on the epidemiological situation region by region.
EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn on a visit to Romania
EU Commissioner for Budget and Administration Johannes Hahn is in Romania on Thursday for an official visit. Mr. Hahn is expected to meet Romanian Prime Minister Ludovic Orban before a joint press conference at Romania’s government headquarters at Victoria Palace in the capital Bucharest. Commissioner Hahn is also expected to meet Deputy Prime Minister Raluca Tucan, Finance Minister Florin Cîţu, and Marcel Boloş, the country’s Minister of European Funds. Mr. Hahn is an Austrian politician who serves as EU Budget and Admiunistration Commisioner since 2019. He previously served as EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations after being a EU Commissioner for Regional Policy. In Austria, he served as minister for science and research. Mr. Hahn is a member of the Austrian People Party (ÖVP), part of the European People’s Party (EPP) in the European Parliament.
Alexandru Danga, RADOR
