Facemasks could become mandatory in open, crowded spaces as well

PM Ludovic Orban has announced that the government is an considering several other measures to avoid overcrowding in congested spaces and one of them is to make facemasks mandatory also in open-air spaces.

The move comes amid concerning increase in the Covid-19 infections in Romania after the restrictions lifted starting since June 1.

“We had talks with more prefects and representatives of of the county committees for emergency situations who told us there is a risk of infection even in crowded open air spaces, for instance at the market or on the seafront and we are analysing the possibility of imposing the rule to wear facemasks in such overcrowded spaces“, said PM Orban.

He added that these measures are under review and no decision has been yet taken.

Orban explained that these measures are under review especially on the seaside where flocks of tourists are constantly breaking the social distancing rules.

“There are more measure under review-limiting the opening hours for terraces, clubs, observing social distancing on the beach, for it is very hard to identify if a group of people represents a family or not,” said the premier.

There have been 1,120 daily cases of people infected with the novel coronavirus reported in Romania on Sunday. Overall,  the number of people infected with Covid-19 in our country since the start of the outbreak mounts to 44,798. 22 people infected with the novel coronavirus  have died since Saturday to Sunday in Romania, with the death toll climbing to 2,187.

The latest victims are 17 men and 5 women, hospitalized in Alba, Bihor, Braila, Constanta, Dambovita, Gorj, Maramures, Mehedinti, Mures, Prahova, Sibiu, Suceava, Timis, Vrancea and the Bucharest Municipality.