Romania further relaxes restrictions, but new infections show rising trend

A new round of relaxations of COVID-19 restrictions came into effect in Romania on Monday, with the reopening of shopping malls, gambling rooms, outdoor swimming pools and fitness centers, yet authorities warned of an upward trend in new infections in recent days.

This is the third round of relaxations announced in Romania after the country entered the state of alert in mid-May, following the end of a two-month higher-level state of emergency.

According to the decision adopted by the National Committee for Emergency Situations,

private events can be organized with a maximum of 20 people indoors and up to 50 people outside.

The number of people who do not belong to the same family but can travel or do outdoor sports and recreational activities together increases from three to six.
However, the ban will be still in place for cinemas, playgrounds and restaurants inside shopping malls.

The activities of nurseries, kindergartens and after-schools during the summer holidays are also allowed, under the conditions established by the relevant authorities.

The new measures came into force as the Strategic Communication Group (GCS), the official COVID-19 communication task force, warned that infections have lately been on an upward trend.

“This negative development in the ratio between the number of people confirmed with the novel coronavirus and the number of cured persons requires an increased effort to comply with the responsible health safety conduct of the society as a whole,” said the GCS in a statement.