The Romanian government decided at its cabinet meeting last Thursday to further ease COVID-19 restrictions starting from the 1st of June. Thus, private events such as weddings can be organized for a limited number of people; spectators will be allowed to attend sports events; and clubs, music venues and indoor swimming pools can open for a limited number of people as well.
The details of the government decision were introduced in Bucharest on May 27 to the public by Prime Minister Florin Cîțu, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Home Affairs Raed Arafat, and Health Minister Ioana Mihăilă. The most important new rules are the following:
Private events such as weddings or baptisms can be organized with a maximum of 50 people if the event takes place indoors and with 70 people if outdoors. The number of participants can be higher if all guests are vaccinated and if they can prove that they received their second dose at least 10 days prior to the event and if there are at least 4 square meters per guest during the event.
The number of people who can participate in cultural, artistic or entertainment activities in closed spaces increases from 50 percent to 70 percent of the venue’s capacity in settlements where the number of infected people per 1,000 inhabitants is less than 3.
The number of people who can participate in cultural, artistic and entertainment activities held outdoors increases from 500 to 1,000 if all of them are vaccinated or have already recovered from the infection or if they can show a negative COVID-19 test.
Indoor playgrounds can open at a maximum of 50 percent of capacity, but the adults accompanying the children must be vaccinated or show proof that they have recovered from the infection at least 15 days and at most 90 days earlier.
Gyms and fitness centers, as well as indoor swimming pools, are also allowed to fill up to 70 percent capacity, or even more if all the people are vaccinated.
The same applies for the indoor seating capacity of restaurants, which has been increased from 50 percent to 70 percent as well. And the number of guests may be higher if all of them are vaccinated.
The occupancy rate has been increased from 70 percent to 85 percent for accommodation units at the seaside.
Bars and clubs can stay open between 5:00 a.m. and midnight, at a limited capacity of 50 percent and only for vaccinated people.
It is no longer mandatory to wear a mask in workplaces for coworkers who are vaccinated and if no more than five of them are present in the same place at the same time.
Raed Arafat during the press briefing after the cabinet meeting on May 27, 2021. (Photo: gov.ro)
In the case of private events with more than 50 participants, it is the organizer’s responsibility to only allow people who are vaccinated to enter the venue, said Raed Arafat on Thursday after the cabinet meeting.
Title image: Prime Minister Florin Cîțu during the press briefing about the further easing of COVID-19 restrictions. May 27, 2021. (Photo: gov.ro)
