Romanian health authorities on Tuesday announced that all COVID-19-related cases would be treated for free, even if patients aren’t covered by health insurance.
Costs will be covered by the Unique National Fund for Social and Health Insurance, the CNAS state health body said.
The measure comes into effect as Romania enters its first full day under a state of emergency, unprecedented in modern times. President Klaus Iohannis decreed a 30-day state of emergency on Monday to help authorities stem the spread of the virus.
Romania was reporting a total of 184 cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, 16 new cases in the past 24 hours. Sixteen people have recovered, the Strategic Communication Group said.
Shops were closed or opening late in the Romanian capital and elsewhere on Tuesday morning and traffic was much lighter in the capital of two million, as schools and universities remained closed and many people worked at home.
Shops and malls posted notices announcing reduced opening hours and recommending hygiene measures for customers, such as frequent hand-washing and advising people to keep a one-meter distance from others.
In other related news, Romania’s Orthodox Church said Tuesday it would support authorities to contain the coronavirus outbreak and help the sick.
It said it would open up monasteries for people who were in quarantine, the church website Basilica reported.
The Neamt monastery has opened its doors to Romanians who have returned home during the health crisis. There are currently 40 in quarantine in the Saint Paisie Social Cultural Center, it said.
There are between 3 and 5 million Romanians living abroad; including one million in Italy, the European epicenter of the coronavirus crisis.
The dioceses in Cluj and the Lower Danube have also offered food and assistance to the faithful. Priests were continuing to officiate services while respecting guidelines recommended by authorities during the crisis.
Some 87% of Romanians belong to the Romanian Orthodox Church.
