Romania dials down restrictions and institutes new "state of alert"

On 14 May 2020, the National Committee for Emergency Situation issued Decision no. 24 approving the state of alert on national level, as well as specific measures for controlling and preventing the spread of COVID-19. The state of emergency previously instituted by Presidential Decree expires on 15 May 2020.

Decision 24 aims to ensure a smooth transition from the state of emergency to a less restrictive scenario, while continuing to mitigate health risks generated by the current context. The new state of alert will apply for a period of 30 days starting with 15 May 2020.

A snapshot of the most relevant on rules to be during the state of alert is set out below:

1. wearing a mask becomes mandatory in all commercial locations, means of transport, at the workplace and in any other closed areas;
2. public authorities/institutions and all public and private operators are obliged to organise their activity so as allow for work to be performed from home; where the activity cannot be carried out in a “work from home” structure, entities must implement measures to ensure:
   • epidemiologic triage through temperature control for own personnel and visitors;
   • disinfection of hands before entering workspaces;
   • observance of rules related to conduct of work in open spaces.
3. in addition, entities hiring more than 50 employees, must implement a phased-out working schedule so that the start time and end time take place in intervals of at least 1 hour, for at least 3 hours, in tranches of at least 20% of the personnel;
4. public institutions and operators which carry out commercial activities involving interaction with the public which implies access of individuals within buildings, shall take measures to ensure that:
   • access is organised so that there is at least 4 sqm minimum for each client/person, and at least 2 m between any two individuals;
   • individuals whose body temperature exceeds 37.3 degrees C are not allowed entry;
   • areas which are exposed to the public are disinfected;
   • crowding is avoided, especially in the area of the cashier’s desks or similar.
5. public meetings, concerts or other meetings in open spaces, as well as all cultural, scientific, artistic, sport, entertainment, gambling, fitness, swimming etc performed in closed spaces continue to be prohibited (except for certain activities, including: religious gatherings, personal care treatments in dedicated areas, training for professional athletes, certain cultural activities and recreational/sports activities such as cycling, hiking, running, swimming, mountain climbing, hunting, fishing and similar – the latter with the participation of not more than 3 individuals who do not live together);
6. serving and consumption of foods in restaurants, hotels, coffee houses, terraces or other public places remains suspended (except for food preparation activities which do not involve clients staying at the location, such as drive-in, room service, delivery, take away);
7. activities in malls with a built area in excess of 15,000 sqm remain suspended (except for sale of food stuff, pharmaceutical products, optical equipment and cleaning/laundry services; the sale of electrical and home appliances, if delivered to the customer);
8. foreign citizens are still prohibited to enter in Romania (except for family members of Romanian citizens/other EU citizens having their domicile in Romania; individuals having a long-stay visa or a similar document; individuals who are traveling for business purposes proved by a visa, a residence permit or similar document; diplomatic/international organisations/military personnel; individuals in transit; individuals who are traveling for emergency purposes as well as individual subject to international/humanitarian protection);
9. flights to/from Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, France, Germany, Iran, Italy, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Spain, United States of America, Turkey and Iran remain suspended for a period of 14 days as from 15 May 2020 (except for merchandise and correspondence; humanitarian relief/emergency services; search and rescue missions; irregular charter flights for seasonal workers etc);
10. road transport through regulated transport services providers to/from Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, UK and Turkey remain suspended up until 1 June 2020 (with some exceptions e.g. those with a valid employment contract in the state of destination, or with a valid stay permit or those who return to Romania from such state in which they have worked or lived etc);
11. the activity of dental services providers is resumed also for non-emergency cases;
12. all persons coming into Romania from abroad shall be subject to self-quarantine or self-isolation in their home for 14 days, together with any family/dependants – those who do not have such possibility, or who wish to mitigate the risk of contamination of their family members may choose to be subject to institutionalised quarantine in locations which are made available by authorities (certain exceptions apply e.g. individuals coming into Romania to perform installation, commissioning, maintenance/servicing of medical equipment, or of equipment in the scientific, economic, defence, public order, national security fields, provided that they do not have any COVID-19 specific symptoms and can prove the existence of a contract with Romanian beneficiaries);
13. those who are found in breach of self-isolation measures shall be subject to institutionalised quarantine;
14. individuals are allowed to travel outside of their homes, within the metropolitan area of their domicile/residence, without a statement (but not more than 3 individuals who are not members of the same family together);
15. parks (except playgrounds) shall be re-open to the public;
16. travel outside the city of residence shall be prohibited, except for professional purposes; for humanitarian/volunteering work; for agricultural activities; to manage property in another city; to take part in treatment or similar medical procedures; for other justified reasons such as taking care of children, members of family, assistance for the elderly, sick, disabled etc; travelling for medical assistance which cannot be postponed or obtained remotely; recreational/sporting activities such as cycling, hiking, running, mountain climbing, hunting, fishing etc – at most 3 individuals together; for family events subject a limited number of participants; travelling for the purposes of acquiring, servicing/maintenance or other similar services for vehicles if this is not possible in the individual’s own city;
17. all schools and similar educational facilities (public or private) shall remain suspended until the end of the school/university year (except for 2 weeks of preparation for students in 8th and 12th or 13th grade, and for the purposes of organising the national exams).

For further information on how the above changes might affect you, please contact our CMS local expert Cristina Popescu.