‘There won’t be tanks on the streets.’ PM Orban seeks to reassure Romanians about emergency measures for virus outbreak

Foto: INQUAM/George Călin

Romania’s Prime Minister Ludovic Orban on Sunday sought to reassure the public about emergency measures the government is imposing to contain the spread of coronavirus, saying “there won’t be tanks on the streets.”

Speaking from the government villa where he is in quarantine, Orban told Romanians that authorities may cap prices on some medicines and medical products such as masks and disinfectant when the state of emergency is enforced on Monday.

“As far of the state of emergency goes ….  there definitely won’t be tanks on the streets, and we definitely won’t see the Army on the streets,” he said. “Neither will people be made to stay at home for 21 days.”

He said the new restrictions would not encroach on people’s basic human rights. “I heard rumors that we want to curtail freedom of expression, of information (but) they are mere rumors.”

Orban and members of his Cabinet are also in self-isolation after they came into contact with a Liberal Party senator who tested positive for coronavirus.

Orban and other party members have tested negative for COVID-19. Six people have recovered.

Orban heads the minority Liberal government which was approved by Parliament on Saturday winning support from opposition parties to allow it to tackle the growing coronavirus crisis. Authorities on Sunday said a total of 139 people had tested positive for COVID-19. There have been no deaths in Romania.

Dressed in a black jacket and tie and speaking though a video link, Orban took questions from journalists by phone.

Orban expressed concern about the effect of the crisis on the economy after the government closed schools and banned mass gatherings. Restaurants, hotels, clubs, bars and cinemas have reported a sharp downturn in business in recent weeks.

“It’s clear that in transport, the hospitality industry, event management, the impact of the epidemic is very big and the government is prepared next week to adopt rapid measures to support companies and to support employees.”

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