Romania’s interim government is self-isolating for 14 days after a senator tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus. Vergil Chitac was in parliament in recent days while right-wing parties were trying to form a new cabinet, reports EuroNews.
Interim Prime Minister Ludovic Orban told a news conference that all government members, as well as some members of his National Liberal Party (PNL) will self-quarantine.
“This state of emergency will enable allotting new important resources to fight the crisis,” Iohannis said. “The government will allot more funds for …. healthcare, medicine, equipment,” he said, adding that the move also cut through red tape for government purchases.
„We asked the health minister to quickly create an epidemiological investigation mechanism for all our colleagues. They will all be tested. As for me, I will stay self-isolated at Villa Lac 1 where I will continue to perform my duties,” Orban said.
In a news conference at the headquarters of the National Liberal Party (PNL), interim prime minister Ludovic Orban told journalists that the senator attended a recent meeting of the party leadership, so that all who attended the meeting, including all ministers, will self-isolate in their homes.
Orban was also in contact yesterday with the President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis. Orban will, therefore, be self-isolated in a government protocol house. Moreover, Orban told journalists to self-isolate and request coronavirus testing and government access is now restricted for journalists.
Romania has 70 confirmed COVID-19 cases so far, but no deaths. Six people have made a full recovery, while 2,067 are quarantined at hospitals or special facilities and 13,745 are isolated in their homes. On Saturday, President Klaus Iohannis declared a state of emergency from Monday, opening the door to more government aid to combat the disease, reported Reuters.