The Ministry of Health published today the official document establishing a series of new relaxations that will be applied in Romania starting today, but along with them come the rules that must be respected so that the Coronavirus pandemic does not get out of control.
The Ministry of Health explains below which are the new relaxations that many Romanians will be able to enjoy, but also what everyone must respect, especially in closed spaces, where the risk of infection remains high.
"Nelu Tătaru, the Minister of Health, signed the Joint Order for the approval of the Regulations regarding the establishment of specific measures to prevent the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus for activities in commercial centers where several economic operators, such as malls, organize and carry out activities from the sports betting rooms, as well as for the locations where the gambling activity is carried out
The document establishes the specific measures to prevent the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in commercial centers where several economic operators operate, mall-type, in sports betting rooms, as well as for locations where gambling activities are carried out
Thus, universal precautions and individual responsibility are mandatory in all spaces, such as:
- the mandatory wearing of a mask (medical/non-medical), which must cover both the mouth and the nose, both in the common spaces inside the shopping center, as well as inside the shops
- isolating employees at home if they present symptoms suggestive of respiratory infection (cough, wheezing, rhinorrhea, fever, altered general condition);
- isolating employees at home if they have contact with a confirmed case of infection with the SARS COV-2 virus and complying with the applicable measures in force;
- frequent hand hygiene (disinfection with approved/authorized disinfectants/washing with soap and water), avoiding touching the face with unhygienic hands.
Furthermore, customers presenting with clinical symptoms suggestive of respiratory infections are advised to avoid going to the mall
Specific measures for the resumption of activity in mall-type commercial spaces:
Installation of information boards regarding the rules of hygiene and physical distancing, placement of signs restricting crowding, establishment of one-way visitor flows to facilitate the maintenance of physical distancing;
At the entrance to the shopping centers, an observational triage will be carried out and access will not be allowed to people showing symptoms of respiratory infection (temperature exceeding 37,3 C, measured with a non-contact thermometer, cough, sneezing, runny nose).
Placement of orientation markings in elevators, escalators and in circulation areas to maintain a physical distance of at least 2 m and avoid long standing in groups of more than 6 people;
The access of customers in mall-type shopping centers will be carried out in such a way as to ensure physical distancing (the maximum number of people will be calculated according to the area of the shopping center, with the provision of a minimum area of 7 sqm/person)
Separator panels in all information areas/sales offices/cash registers/counters;
Where it is possible, the creation of access paths different from the exit ones, and where it is not possible, the entry/exit flows will be delimited by the placement of separation lines/barriers;
Frequent disinfection of surfaces with approved/authorized biocidal products for all common spaces inside shopping centers (main building lobbies, elevators, corridors, stairs, etc.);
Frequent disinfection of cash registers and POS with approved/authorized disinfectants, as well as encouraging card payments;
Installation of dispensers with biocidal products approved/authorized for hand disinfection in all access areas in the shopping center, common inside the shopping centers (main building lobbies, elevators, corridors, stairs, etc.);
Ensuring toilets are sanitized as frequently as possible;
Airing the spaces as often as possible and keeping the access doors open as much as possible, as well as stopping the air curtain systems at the entrances and prohibiting the use of fans in the shops;
Ensuring a maintenance program for air conditioning equipment in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations - paying more attention to centralized air conditioning systems by cleaning and changing filters, as well as frequent cleaning of filters from ventilation systems in elevators;
Training of cleaning staff in shopping centers regarding individual protection measures, cleaning and disinfection procedures for common spaces inside shopping centers (main building lobbies, elevators, corridors, stairs, etc.), waste disposal measures. Provision of personal protective equipment appropriate to the level of risk (eg mask with filter cartridge for those who maintain ventilation equipment, change/clean filters) and training on how to use personal protective equipment (PPE);
Prohibition of testing cosmetic products on the skin;
Public catering units within shopping centers will ensure the serving of food products only in the "take away" system;
Within the stores, the access time in the fitting room will be reduced (e.g. by allowing access with only 3 items per person);
Ensuring good ventilation of the cabins (keep open/curtain raised when the cabin is not in use);
Children's playgrounds in shopping centers remain closed;
Cinemas and arcades in shopping centers remain closed;
Measures for sports betting shops
Distribution of sanitary protective materials (masks and, optionally, protective gloves) and approved/authorized disinfectants for hands and surfaces (eg approved/authorized disinfectant gel, approved/authorized disinfectant wipes, mats with approved/authorized disinfectants at entrances ), in accordance with the legal norms in force;
Daily temperature measurement at the start of the shift and sending home, with the recommendation to consult the family doctor, of employees with a temperature above 37,3 C;
Disinfection of all surfaces before the start of the program and subsequently their periodic disinfection;
Sanitizing and disinfecting the cash register daily, after closing the betting location and when changing the employees' daily shifts;
Periodic disinfection by the staff designated for this purpose of frequently touched surfaces (e.g.: doorknobs, bathroom faucets);
Ensuring adequate ventilation and periodic airing of work rooms as follows:
Where possible, locking interior doors without security impact in the open position to ensure ventilation and avoid using/touching doorknobs;
Where possible, the use of the air conditioning installation will be avoided, or, if it is necessary to use it, periodic nebulization will be carried out, with approved/authorized biocidal products, in accordance with the legal norms in force;
Where possible, periodic ventilation of rooms by opening windows and doors.
Allowing customers access to the location only after employees have performed daily cleaning and sanitary disinfection procedures;
Limiting the maximum number of customers admitted simultaneously in betting rooms so as to ensure a minimum distance of 2 m between them. The maximum number of customers admitted simultaneously to the location will be displayed at the entrance to the specialized location and will be established by each sports betting operator according to the size and configuration of the hall;
Where possible, customers will use their own writing instruments. If the customer will use a writing instrument provided by the employees of the specialized locations, they will be placed in a separate box for disinfection;
The provision, at the sanitary groups, of soap and hand sanitizer, approved/authorized;
The display in a visible place of indicator markings or warning messages regarding the minimum permitted distance of at least 1,5 m;
Display in a visible place the messages related to hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette (the area of directly exploited play equipment, access areas, toilets);
Informing customers about the obligations to adopt health protection measures, carried out as follows:
The display outside the location of an information poster regarding the mandatory measures that must be observed within its premises (observance of the minimum safety distance between people and distance markings, mandatory use of the protective mask/visor);
Display in the game location an information poster regarding the mandatory social distancing measures, the rules of conduct in the premises and the adoption of responsible behavior;
Displaying an information poster regarding the obligation to comply with health protection measures in the vicinity of gambling locations.
Limiting the number of people present simultaneously in smoking areas, depending on the available space (markings on the ground, placing a larger number of ashtrays), respecting the minimum distance of 1,5 m.
Measures for the premises where the gambling activity takes place
Electronic gaming machines or gaming tables will be disabled and/or moved to allow for at least 1,5 meters of distance between participants, or as the case may be, separation panels will be installed.
Any area where crowding will occur will be clearly marked for appropriate physical distancing: for example, near the cash register, behind machines expected to be occupied or at the entrance;
The minimum distance of 1,5 m will be kept between employees, staff serving the activity of the organizer, participants in the game and any other person who enters the premises of the work point;
The person who does not intend to start or has already finished the game session is not allowed to stay in the game room;
Any coffee machine/machine, other products and/or water dispenser can only be handled by employees of the work points;
For serving drinks and food products, disposable containers will be used;
Where possible, customers will use their own writing instruments. If the customer will use a writing instrument provided by the employees of specialized locations, they will be placed in a separate box for disinfection with approved/authorized biocidal products for surfaces;
For the casino game, the distance between customers around the game tables will be at least 2 m, achieved by the appropriate arrangement of the tables. If the distance cannot be respected, separating panels can be installed between customers or tables.
For the bingo game:
The distance between customers around the gaming tables will be at least 1,5m, achieved by appropriate seating arrangements and the size and shape of the tables. If the distance cannot be respected, separating panels can be installed between customers or tables;
At the fixed stations at the central control desk of the installation, the same minimum distance of 1,5 m will be kept between members of the operating staff or, depending on the situation, separators will be installed between the stations;
The mobile staff serving the players with playing cards will distribute and collect the cards at the tables in the area designated on them so that the minimum prevention distance is respected. This stage of the game will be accomplished with minimal customer interaction.
The maximum number of participants admitted simultaneously to the location will be 1 person/4 sqm, in the alert/prevention phase, with the relaxation of the measure at the time of the relaxation of restrictions at the national level;
Disinfection of locations and work and play surfaces will be carried out at maximum 12 hour intervals.
Periodic disinfection of frequently touched surfaces (e.g. doorknobs, elevator buttons) will be carried out by the personnel of the work points.
Ensuring proper ventilation and periodic airing of work rooms.
Employees with a temperature above 37,3°C will be tested daily upon entering the shift, with the recommendation to consult the family doctor.
Access to customers who have been in contact with persons infected with SARS-Cov_2 or who come from risk areas is prohibited. The ban will be communicated through information materials (posters) at the entrance to the rooms;
Access is prohibited to the person presenting symptoms such as: temperature higher than 37,3°C, breathing difficulties, frequent cough, fatigue, altered general condition;
Access to the interior of the customer's gaming room will be mandatory with a mask that will be worn throughout the customer's visit to the location;
Customers have the obligation to properly sanitize their hands, either by washing with soap and water, or by using approved alcohol-based hand sanitizers, where there are no sanitary facilities (at the entrance and later at the game points);
Upon entering the location, customers' temperatures will be taken.
Protective masks will be worn at all times by all customers and visitors to work points, mandatorily."
