A number of civil society organizations call on the Government to review its decision to allow holding religious ceremonies in the open air, in the presence of doctors and police officers.  According to a statement signed by these, the given services in the current conditions pose serious threats to public health, including to the health of parishioners, IPN reports.

In an appeal, the organizations say the Government’s decision to allow holding services in the open air, which was announced by Prime Minister Ion Chicu on March 21, runs counter to the call made then by the Premier – that the people should stay at home. The given decision can have dangerous consequences as there are studies showing that the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) can survive in the open air for hours and even for days on particular surfaces. This way, the parishioners’ health is in danger.

The organizations note the decision goes against the appeal for self-isolation made by President Igor Dodon on March 10 and runs counter to the Parliament decision to declare a state of emergency, when the assemblies, public events and other gatherings are banned.

The signatories ask to suspend the public holding of services and to broadcast them online. They wonder what the purpose of the ban on attending public places as of March 25 is if the people gather together in large numbers in yards of churches or even inside churches.

The appeal was signed by the Institute for Development and Social Initiative “Viitorul”, WatchDog.MD Community, Public Association “THARROS”, Institute for Strategic Initiatives and Trade Union Committee of the Institute of History.