The Government on Thursday adopted a decision regarding the extension of the state of alert on the Romanian territory starting January 8, and established the measures for combating the COVID-19 pandemic.The normative act is based on the measures proposed through the Decision of the National Committee for Emergency Situations (CNSU), the Government informs in a press release.One of the changes brought by the normative act refers to the wearing of a medical or FFP2 mask in all enclosed and open spaces."This is one of the most effective COVID-19 prevention measures in the European Union. FFP stands for "particle-filtering face mask" and is a European standard for the effectiveness of the mask. This type of mask filters at least 94pct of all aerosols, including viruses in the air such as SARS-CoV-2," the same source informs.Exceptions to wearing a medical mask or FFP2 in all enclosed and open spaces:- children under the age of 5;- people who are alone in the office;- TV hosts and their guests, provided that they maintain a distance of 3 metres between them;- the representatives of the religious cults, during the religious services, provided that they keep a distance of 3 metres between persons;- speakers in enclosed or open spaces, provided that the distance of at least 3 metres is observed between them and any of the other persons in the audience;- persons who carry out intense physical activities and/or face demanding working conditions (high temperatures, high humidity, etc.) or are involved in sports activities.The Government maintains the CNSU proposal regarding the participation of persons in different kinds of activities up to 50pct of the maximum capacity of the respective space, in the counties/localities in which the cumulative incidence rate reported for 14 days is less than or equal to 1/1,000 inhabitants. The participation of persons in such activities will be allowed within the limit of 30pct of the maximum capacity of a given space in the counties/localities in which the cumulative incidence rate for 14 days is higher than 1/1,000 inhabitants.Exempted from this rule are economic operators whose activity is related to the preparation, marketing and consumption of food and/or alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, such as restaurants and cafes, inside buildings, as well as on terraces, where participation is allowed up to 50pct of the maximum capacity of the space in the counties/localities in which the cumulative incidence rate reported for 14 days is less than or equal to 3/1,000 inhabitants.These economic operators are restricted to 30pct of the maximum capacity of the space in case the cumulative incidence rate for 14 days is higher than 3/1,000 inhabitants. The same measure applies to the activity of restaurants and cafes inside hotels, boarding houses or other accommodation units, as well as on their terraces, the Government states in the same press release.
Romanian deep-tech startup .lumen, the developer of what it says are the world’s first AI-powered glasses for the blind, has secured a new investment from EIT Urban Mobility, the European innovation community focused on advancing sustainable and inclusive urban mobility solutions. The value of the new funding round was not disclosed. The investment aligns with […]
The health spending per capita in Romania was the lowest in the EU, with spending less than half the EU average in 2023, the recently released report, State of Health in the EU - Romania Country Health Profile 2025, shows. At the same time, life expectancy in Romania is 5.1 years below the EU average, […]
Romania’s annual inflation rate stood at roughly 9.8% in November 2025, similar to October, according to data published by the National Institute of Statistics (INS). Food prices increased by 7.6% last month, while services rose roughly 11% and non-food goods climbed 10.7%. The consumer price index rose by 0.42% in November compared with October, while […]
Three French soldiers deployed in Romania as part of NATO’s Multinational Battle Group at Cincu intervened to save a truck driver following a serious traffic accident on the A3 Bucharest–Ploiești motorway, the Romanian Ministry of Defense said. The incident occurred earlier this week as the soldiers were traveling toward Ploiești and witnessed the truck crash...
Eight contemporary art galleries will present the works of the artists they represent at the third edition of the Smallest Art Fair in Town, an event dedicated to works on paper. This edition showcases works “investigating the state of wandering, disorientation, and rediscovery in the face of uncertainty.” Under the title In Dark Woods, A […]
Parents everywhere are asking an important question: What skills will truly prepare a child for a world defined by rapid change, global uncertainty, and the rise of artificial intelligence? For decades, schools focused entirely on academics. Today, research from neuroscience, performance psychology, and leading universities shows a different reality: The students who thrive long-term are […]
