In Chisinau, all the passengers are obliged to wear masks in public transport as of May 5, even if the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that only the infected persons should do this. Contacted by IPN for a comment, Tudor Gîrbu, secretary of the Crisis Cell of the municipality of Chisinau, said the decision was taken based on the international experience of such countries as Romania, the Czech Republic, and Slovenia, and also due to the epidemiological situation in Chisinau, where the number of infections with COVID-19 is the highest and rises daily, IPN reports.

“Everyone will return to work on Monday and there will be chaos in our transport system. We will be unable to cope even with the carabineers and the police. Everyone will want to get onto units of transport so as to get to work quicker,” said Tudor Gîrbu. If the people do not comply and will not wear masks, the police will impose the fines introduced for the spread of epidemic diseases.

In a comment for IPN on the issue, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Protection said the WHO recommendations refer to all the countries of the European region, but each country can take the own decisions depending on the epidemiological situation.

The WHO recommends not wearing masks in common transport if the persons are healthy. Wearing rubber gloves in public transport does not help prevent infection with COVID-19. One should know how to wear and to dispose of a mask.

Those who cough and sneeze, have fever or breathing difficulties should not use public transport. Even the healthy persons are recommended to avoid public transport, primarily during rush hour, and to maintain social distancing of at least 1 meter and avoid touching balustrades and other surfaces.

When getting out of a bus, trolleybus or taxi, the person should sanitize the hands with an alcohol-based disinfectant or should wash them with soap and water immediately when reaching the destination.