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HEALTH-VIRUS-ROMANIA-PM
Romanian PM self-quarantines after possible virus contact
BUCHAREST, March 13, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Romania’s Prime Minister Ludovic
Orban said Friday he would self-quarantine after attending the same meeting
as a senator from his party who tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
“I will put myself in isolation (…) while continuing to exercise my
duties,” Orban told journalists.
Orban, 56, and his ministers will all be tested for Covid-19 Friday,
possibly leading to a decision to put the whole government in quarantine,
government spokesperson Ionel Danca told AFP.
Apart from the premier, most cabinet members and all senators on Monday
attended the meeting with the senator who was later found to be infected.
The quarantine comes amid a political crisis in Romania, with President
Klaus Iohannis set to name Friday evening a new premier-designate after
consultations with political parties.
Orban’s cabinet was ousted in a no-confidence vote in parliament last
month.
Romania, which has reported 70 cases of coronavirus infection, has ordered
the closure of schools, universities and cultural establishments as well as
quarantine for passengers arriving from a number of countries, including
Italy.
BSS/AFP/SSS/1852 hrs