Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis on Monday decreed a one-month state of emergency, unprecedented in modern times, to allow the government to tackle the coronavirus outbreak.
“The pandemic can’t be stopped except by exceptional measures,” Iohannis said. “This is the only way to save people’s lives who are dear to us.”
“Together with the government of (Prime Minister Ludovic) Orban, I am determined to take drastic measures to protect the life and health of Romanians,” he said. He urged Romanians to keep one-meter distance from each other to slow the spread of the killer virus.
„Dear Romanians, listen to official messages, wash your hands, avoid crowds, and don’t go out except where necessary,” he said.
Iohannis said schools would remain closed „to protect children, pupils and students” and university and higher education classes would also be suspended during the state of emergency.
„It’s very important to limit people’s financial burden during this crisis. If needed, food and medicine prices will be capped, as will electric and heating bills and fuel, to the average price of the last three months.”
He said that authorities could implement measures „gradually or rapidly” such as sealing the borders, closing restaurants. „Road, air, and sea traffic can be halted,” if circumstances demand, he said.
So far, 158 people have been confirmed with COVID-19 in Romania.
Under a state of emergency, authorities can close bars, clubs and gas stations. Road, rail and air traffic may be suspended in some areas, and people and vehicles can be stopped randomly for checks.
The military may be asked to handle situations normally handled by government authorities. Orban told Romanians “We won’t have tanks on the streets.”
Neighboring Hungary and Bulgaria have already declared a state of emergency, as has Spain as countries grapple with the growing coronavirus pandemic.
