Moldova Reopens Economy Despite Surge in COVID Cases

Moldovan Prime Minister Ion Chicu announced on Thursday that all economic activities would fully resume from June 30 onwards, despite continuing concern over the worrying situation regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

The country has registered 10,321 cases of infection and a death toll of 371.

Chicu said the country had no option but to go back to work. "Without the gradual reopening of economic activities, the country faces financial and budgetary collapse. And, leaving people without salaries and pensions would have much more cumulative effects, including on the health of citizens," Chicu wrote on Facebook. "We can no longer close economic activities, we cannot leave people without a source of existence," he added.

On Wednesday alone, Moldova registered 296 new coronavirus cases, marking a new daily record since the pandemic started in Moldova in March. Last week was also the worst from a medical point of view, with a daily average of over 200 cases, and over 45 deaths.

The government wants restaurants and cafes to reopen from June 15, while markets, shopping malls and public transportation will also be restored.

The country is seriously short of cash. The government and the pro-Russian President, Igor Dodon, have opposed adopting a set of laws required by the European Union, so putting on hold 30 million euros in financial aid from Brussels. Moldova has also failed to take up an offered loan of 200 million euros from Russia.

Chicu praised the measures taken by his cabinet regarding the pandemic, adding that they had allowed Moldova "to have one of the lowest rates of COVID-19 deaths in Europe, and in terms of deaths or number of cases per 1 million population, to be ranked 20th out of 48 on the continent."

The Health...