Security Brief for Romania prepared on: Jul 12, 2021 8:43:51 PM UTC Security Assessment Rating Security Rating for Romania: 2 - Low Sub-Ratings 1 2 3 4 5 Crime 3 Overall Rating: Security Services 2 2 Civil Unrest 3 Low Terrorism 2 Kidnapping 1 Geopolitical 3 Security Overview : Overview of Romania Related Advice: General guidelines to protect yourself against terrorism. Security Alerts & Advisories Informational Alerts Civil Unrest: Protests denouncing COVID-19-related restrictions likely to continue in cities across Europe through July. Localized disruptions likely. Event: COVID-19 Protests Location(s): Urban centers (map) Time Frame: Through at least July Impact: Possible increased security, localized disruptions Summary Sporadic protests will likely continue in cities across Europe through at least the end of July as residents denounce restrictions imposed to combat COVID-19, as well as their economic consequences, particularly for the hospitality industry. Activists could demonstrate outside government offices or at prominent locations in city centers; vehicular go-slow protests are possible. Public transport workers may hold strikes or other forms of labor actions. The COVID-19 measures currently in place in most European cities restrict public gatherings to some extent. Local police will likely monitor protests and may attempt to disperse larger gatherings. Low-level skirmishes and, in some cases, wider confrontations, are possible. Localized traffic and transport disruptions are likely. In addition, though a large proportion of demonstrations involve hospitality workers, the adoption of the COVID- 19 issue as a rallying point by both far-left and far-right-wing groups means that some protests could also prompt counterdemonstrations, posing a potential for clashes between rival activists. Advice Avoid all protests as a standard security precaution. Monitor local media for updates on such gatherings, as organizers may not announce details in advance. If violence breaks out, leave the area immediately. Follow the instructions of security personnel. Allow additional time for travel near known or possible demonstration venues. Alert begins: 03/31/2021 Other Alerts & Advisories Critical Alerts Entry/Exit: European Council introduces EU Digital COVID Certificate in numerous EU countries as of July 2; travel restrictions remain. Incident: Travel restrictions Location(s): EU member states (except Ireland) and Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland (map) Time Frame: Indefinite Impact: Transport and business disruptions Summary Authorities in 21 EU member states have implemented the European Council's "EU Digital COVID Certificate" as of July 2. The certificate is a digital or physical QR code that acts as proof of whether a traveler has been vaccinated against COVID-19, recovered from COVID-19, or recently tested negative for COVID-19. Member states should in principle allow individuals possessing the certificate to enter the country without restriction. The certificate is currently being issued by Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain. All remaining EU countries, as well as Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Iceland and Norway, are set to recognize and begin issuing the certificate by Aug. 12. The European Council (EC) previously added several more countries, including the US, to the list of countries with which it recommends member states relax entry restrictions due to positive data regarding the COVID-19 situation in those countries. As of July 2, the following countries are on the list: Albania, Australia, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Rwanda, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, the US, and China (provided it implements a reciprocal travel arrangement). The EC advises EU member states to restrict nonessential travel from all other countries outside the bloc as part of measures to combat the spread of COVID- 19. Countries participating in the measure include all EU Schengen Area member states; non-Schengen EU members Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, and Romania; and the four non-EU Schengen-associated states of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. The EC's recommendation is advisory only; individual member states retain the authority to unilaterally deny travel from countries on the approved list or to permit travel with countries not on the approved list. Additionally, the EC previously issued advice for member states to implement additional COVID-19 measures, including mandatory testing before departure, stricter measures to address virus variants of concern, and a common European passenger locator form. Persons exempted from the recommendations include family members of EU nationals, diplomats, foreigners with legal residency permits, cross-border and healthcare workers, and truck drivers transporting freight. Following the end of the Brexit transition period, citizens of the UK are no longer being treated as EU citizens and are therefore subject to measures restricting travel to the EU from outside the bloc as per EC recommendations. The EC also issued advice May 20 recommending that member states begin lifting restrictions for vaccinated travelers from countries outside the bloc; most member states have not currently implemented this measure. Advice Prospective travelers from countries on the approved list should check for possible additional restrictions imposed by the destination country prior to booking travel. Persons from countries not on the approved list should postpone travel to the countries participating in the closure. Follow all official immigration and health screening instructions. Resources European Union Schengen Area countries Alert begins: 07/02/2021 Entry/Exit: Romania extends COVID-19-related state of alert until Aug. 10; international entry and domestic business restrictions remain in place. Incident: COVID-19 restrictions Location(s): Nationwide (map) Time Frame: Indefinite Impact: Significant travel and business disruptions Summary Authorities in Romania have extended the state of alert and constituent restrictions introduced to combat the spread of COVID-19 until at least Aug. 10. Private gatherings of up to 10 people are permitted. Most businesses and services are permitted to operate subject to social distancing and capacity restrictions. Facemasks remain mandatory. Facemasks remain mandatory in crowded areas such as fairs, markets, or public transport stations and all indoor public spaces. International Entry Restrictions Authorities designate 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, though they can end self-isolation after 10 days following a negative COVID-19 test taken on day eight of isolation. Travelers from Yellow countries are exempt from the self- isolation requirement if they can present proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test conducted no more than 72 hours before entering Romania. 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 14-180 days before arriving in the country are exempt from the quarantine requirement. 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. Resources Romanian Government Official News List of Green, Yellow, and Red countries World Health Organization (WHO) Alert begins: 07/12/2021 Warning Alerts Health: COVID-19 activity continues across several Western European countries and territories through June 30. Maintain basic health precautions. Incident: COVID-19 epidemic Affected Area(s): Western Europe (map) Period: May-June 2021 Transmission: Respiratory (coughing, sneezing, speaking) Summary Several countries and territories continue to report COVID-19 transmission as of June 30. The following countries and territories have identified confirmed COVID-19 May 30-June 30. Countries are classified by risk of transmission according to the incidence rate over the past four weeks: High risk of transmission: UK Portugal Andorra Cyprus Spain Latvia Denmark Netherlands Belgium Ireland Monaco Slovenia Greece Sweden Lithuania Gibraltar France Jersey Luxembourg Switzerland Estonia Norway Faroe Islands Moderate risk of transmission Montenegro Croatia Liechtenstein Italy Austria Germany Czech Republic Finland Bulgaria Low risk of transmission Serbia Hungary Slovakia Bosnia and Herzegovina Isle of Man Iceland Poland Guernsey Malta North Macedonia Kosovo Greenland