President Klaus Iohannis on Monday pleaded with elderly people to stay at home as Romania battles to contain the coronavirus pandemic which has sickened 576 people people and caused five deaths.
Calling the latest developments “tragic,” Iohannis appealed to Romanians to show “unity and solidarity,” a week after he decreed a 30-day state of emergency to enable authorities to fight the virus outbreak.
“Dear retirees, don’t expose yourself needlessly to a huge risk! Don’t go out unless it is strictly necessary! It’s the only way to protect yourselves and others from the illness and suffering this virus causes,” he said.
He said the virus was more dangerous for elderly people. “In countries hard hit by this virus, the overwhelming majority of deaths are those older than 65 who have other health problems,” he said.
Romania has ordered malls, shops, cinemas and restaurants closed, and on Monday evening military measures designed to keep Romanians at home except for necessities, such as buying food and medicine and work will come into effect.
Iohannis used his address to warn that the country may have to impose even stricter measures to stop situation deteriorating, saying there would be “critical weeks which would put the whole state apparatus to the test.”
He called on people to practice “social distancing,” standing more than a meter apart to the limit the spread of the virus which is caught from airborne droplets or touching contaminated surfaces.
Many people now wear masks and latex gloves in public, and supermarkets and other public places provide disinfectant for customers to use at the entrance.
