Covid-19 cases stay high in Romania as police brace for more anti-restrictions demonstrations

Inquam Photos / Bogdan Buda

Coronavirus cases stayed high on Tuesday, the latest figures showed, with a record 1,405 Covid-19 patients receiving treatment in intensive care units.

Despite the spike in cases, more anti-restrictions protest were planned around the country later in the day. Police braced themselves for possible violence.

Overall, about 6,200 new cases of Covid-19 were posted Tuesday and 175 deaths, the Strategic Communication Group said in its lunchtime report.

The latest wave of infections has led to new restrictions including an 8 p.m curfew in Bucharest and shorter opening hours in places where cases are higher.

Frustrations over the restrictions have sparked protests around the country which are expected to continue throughout the week.

Violence flared at a protest in Bucharest leaving 12 police officers injured. Demonstrators smashed shops windows and hurled objects at police.

The protests are largely organized by AUR, a far-right group which entered Parliament for the first time in December 2020.

President Klaus Iohannis on Tuesday said that while demonstrations were a “legitimate” part of democracy, violence should not be tolerated.

”These violent protests, extremism and xenophobia are intolerable and completely  unacceptable,” he said Tuesday.

He condemned “any attempt to make political capital out if the protests and turn them into “hate churning machines. „

He added that politicians regardless of their party “have a huge responsibility in these difficult moments for our country.”

Bucharest added 1,331 infections, more than anywhere else. There were 571 new cases posted in Ilfov, a county immediately north of the capital.

LĂSAȚI UN MESAJ

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