January 17, 2021

Vaccination. Phase two of the mass vaccination campaign is under way in Romania, targeting people over the age of 65, chronic patients and workers in key sectors. According to official figures, more than 196,000 people have received the Covid jab since mass immunisation began on 27th December. According to the campaign coordinators, the demand for vaccination surpassed the number of available appointments, which also depends on the available vaccine stocks. More than 2,100 new infections and 57 new deaths were reported in the last 24 hours, and 1,076 Covid patients are in intensive care. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Romania has recorded almost 694,000 cases and more than 17,200 related deaths. As regards the infection rate, only the capital Bucharest and the counties of Ilfov (south), Timiş (west) and Cluj (north-west) are still in the red tier.

Restrictions. The UK is struggling to contain a more contagious variant of Covid-19, which has also made its way on mainland Europe. Countries are tightening restrictions to contain the British variant and two others originating in South Africa and Brazil. Italy has imposed lockdowns in most regions for almost a month. According to Radio Romania's correspondent in Rome, people are only allowed to leave their homes between 5 am and 10 pm and only to go to work, for health reasons and to buy essentials. Shops stay closed with the exception of food shops, pharmacies and tobacco shops. Ski resorts are closed until mid February. Museums that are not in the red zones are allowed to open from Monday to Friday, and gyms, swimming pools and cinemas stay closed until 5th March. Schools in the red zones are closed, while those in the amber zones can open with 50% of the students physically present in class.

US. American security forces are on alert in all 50 states and the capital Washington over possible armed attacks ahead of Joe Biden's inauguration on 20th January. Ten days ago, supporters of president Donald Trump stormed the Capitol Building to prevent the certification of the presidential elections. According to Radio Romania's Washington correspondent, Biden plans to make a clean break from his predecessor as soon as he takes office by reversing some of Trump's most controversial measures. Biden is expected to repeal a travel ban on mostly Muslim-majority countries, rejoin the Paris climate agreement and make wearing face masks mandatory on federal property and on public transport.

Electric cars. The number of eco-friendly cars in Romania stood at some 8,900 at the end of 2020, up 33.3% compared with the same period in 2019, according to the Automotive Manufacturers and Importers Association cited by Agerpress news agency. Hybrid cars accounted for most new purchases last year, namely 5,000. 2,800 electric vehicles and more than 1,000 plug-in models were sold.

E-commerce. The number of people aged between 16 and 74 who used online services to order and purchase goods and services has seen steady growth in Romania in recent years to reach 58.2% in 2020, according to the National Institute for Statistics. 45% of them made online orders and purchases in the last three months, 32% in the last year and 23% more than a year ago. Compared with the previous year, the number of people making online purchases grew by more than 15% in 2020.

Handball. Romanian women's handball champions SCM Râmnicu Vâlcea are today facing the Croatian side Podravka away in a Champions League Group B match. The Romanian side have six defeats so far. After Croatia, they will be playing two matches at home, against Buducnost Posdorica from Montenegro on Wednesday and against CSKA Moscow four days later. Also today, the Romanian women's side HC Dunărea Brăila are facing Kuban Krasnodar in Russia in the newly created European League in Round 2 Group D. The Romanian side have so far won four matches and lost one.

Weather. An alert for cold is in place in Romania until Wednesday morning around the country. The highs today are between minus 10 and 0 degrees Celsius. (CM)