It looks increasingly likely that outdoor cafes and restaurants in Romania will reopen on June 1 if the number of coronavirus cases stays at the current level, a minister said.
Health Minister Nelu Tataru said: “If the downward trend continues, we are thinking of easing more restrictions, such as opening outdoor terraces on June 1,” he told B1 TV late Monday.
Romania imposed a two-month state of emergency that ended on May 15 to contain teh spread of the coronavirus. Many restrictions have been lifted, but Romanians are required to wear face masks in enclosed public spaces.
For a week, the number of daily infections were below 200, but in the last two days, authorities reported 213 on both days.
Romania has reported 18,283 cases of coronavirus, and 1,193 deaths.
Asked whether Romania would impose more restrictions, Tataru said the number of patients in intensive
care had fallen to 177. He said authorities would have a clearer picture of the
situation on Wednesday.
He said restaurants could be reopened after authorities reviewed the situation with outdoor cafes.
“From June 15, we are thinking of reopening beaches,” he added.
It is unclear when air travel will return to normal. Romania currently requires incoming passengers to go into quarantine or to self-isolate for 14 days.
