Romania: Authorities to tighten domestic COVID-19 restrictions for at least 30 days effective Oct. 25 /update 26

Romania to tighten COVID-19-related domestic measures from Oct. 25; international entry restrictions remain in place.

Event

The government of Romania plans to tighten the nation's domestic COVID-19 restrictions following a surge in infection rates. Effective Oct. 25 through at least Nov. 24, authorities will introduce a daily 22:00-05:00 curfew; persons who have been vaccinated or have recently recovered from COVID, as well as those seeking medical help or performing essential work duties, are exempt. Other measures that will be in force for the same time frame include:

Facemasks will be mandatory for all public areas.
Health passes will be mandatory for all public areas and businesses except for pharmacies and grocery stores.
All non-essential stores and catering establishments will need to close daily by 21:00.
Authorities are urging employers to allow employees to work from home whenever possible.
Private and work events such as conferences, workshops, weddings, and baptisms are suspended.

Most businesses and services are permitted to operate subject to social distancing and capacity restrictions.

International Entry Restrictions
Romania designates countries as Green, Yellow, or Red depending on local infection rates and the presence of virus variants. Travelers from Green countries may enter Romania without restriction. Travelers from Yellow and Red countries must self-isolate for 14 days on arrival; however, travelers from Yellow countries are exempt from isolation if they can present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival, or can end isolation early at any point following a negative PCR test. Travelers from Red countries can end self-isolation after 10 days following a negative PCR test taken on day eight of isolation. Additionally, travelers who have completed a full course of vaccination against COVID-19 at least 10 days before arrival in Romania, or who have recovered from COVID-19 between 14-180 days before arriving in the country are exempt from the quarantine requirement. Arrivals from the U.K. must possess a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival and self-isolate for 14 days. Additional quarantine exemptions are in place for cross-border workers, transport workers, individuals in transit, and certain categories of essential work.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.