Romania’s ombudsman has asked President Klaus Iohannis to declare a state of emergency as the coronavirus crisis unfolds around the world and the number of cases rises to 48 in Romania.
The agency said in a statement Thursday that it wasn’t “questioning … the measures taken so far, (such as) the need of restriction of some rights,” declaring the current situation “exceptional.”
The statement said that restricting certain some rights and liberties could be activated under the constitution, and called on Parliament to approve a state of emergency which needs to be decreed by the president.
Romanian authorities on Thursday confirmed two new cases, bringing the total number to 48. There have been no deaths as a result of the virus.
Wednesday saw 18 new cases of COVID-19 in Romania, the largest number in a single day and more and more than China reported on the same day.
The statement came after U.S President Donald Trump slapped travel restrictions on most of Europe and the World Health Organization called the crisis a „pandemic” for the first time.
This week, Romania shut down all schools and suspended flights to and from Italy, seeking to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus. Authorities have banned events of more than 1,000 people and also placed restrictions on smaller gatherings.
Museums, theaters have closed and football matches are being played to empty stadiums.
There are more than 118,000 cases of the virus in 114 countries and 4,291 deaths.
