Prime Minister Ion Chicu warns that an increasing number of cases of COVID-19 has been reported globally and this will yet rise in the immediate period, until the effects of the measures approved in the last meeting of the National Extraordinary Public Health Commission become visible. After the meeting with the Parliament Speaker and the President, Premier Chiuc said the situation in the health system at present is rather difficult. There are practically no free places in hospitals. Another several tens of places in medical institutions will be created in the course of this week. The shortage of medical staff is the most serious problem, IPN reports.

“We also mobilized the medical students, the residents and all the reserves. We can yet identify areas and beds, but there is no more available staff. That’s why I call on society to understand the constraints and to be responsible, to wear masks and comply. Last Friday, we adopted those restrictions that I consider reasonable at the current stage. They do not fully restrict economic activity, but impose particular limits,” stated the official.

Ion Chicu expressed his regret at the suspension of concert, cultural and theater activities and assured that the people of culture who work for the state will continue to receive salaries. The Government will also try to support freelance artists.

He noted that this week he plans to take part in a UN meeting on problems generated by the pandemic, where he will present a report on the fulfilled measures and the subsequent steps.

The National Extraordinary Public Health Commission decided to institute a state of public health emergency for the period between November 30, 2020 – January 15, 2021. The organization and holding of scientific conferences, sports competitions and Olympiads with the physical presence of persons in the period is banned. The presence of spectators inside theaters, cinemas, concert halls and homes of culture is not allowed. The public and private institutions will set a special working regime and will use only the employees who are strictly needed to ensure the functionality of enterprises.

The restaurants, bars and cafés will work until 10pm. The public eating places will not be allowed to work between 10pm and 7am. Among the mandatory COVID-19 control and combating measures is the wearing of protective masks in all the open and closed public areas (common use), especially on public transport. The mask must cover the mouth and nose.