Romania: Government suspends all flights to and from Italy until March 23 due to COVID-19 /update 1

Event

On Monday, March 9, Interim Minister of the Interior Marcel Vela announced that all flights to and from Italy will be suspended until Monday, March 23, to limit the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). The measure is effective as of 12:00 (local time) on March 9. Affected airlines include Tarom, Wizz Air, Ryanair, and Blue Air. Authorities also announced that additional restrictions will be implemented in the country such as school closures and bans on public gatherings.

According to British diplomatic authorities, those that have traveled to Iran, China, the Republic of Korea or any of the northern Italian regions of Lombardy, Veneto, or Emilia Romagna, will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days.

As of March 9, authorities have confirmed 15 cases of COVID-19 nationwide. Further international spread of the virus is expected in the near term. 

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On February 28, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the risk of spread and the risk of impact of the virus is "very high" at the global level.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and labored breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Potentially impacted travelers are advised to monitor the situation, confirm travel itineraries, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities.

To reduce the risk of transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, seek medical care urgently and share your previous travel history with your health care provider.

In the case that symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness emerge either during or after travel, travelers are encouraged to seek medical attention and share their travel history with their health care provider. Travelers returning from China, South Korea, Italy, and Iran who develop symptoms of pneumonia are advised to call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.