While the rules during the state of alert, in force in Romania since mid-May, order citizens to wear masks indoors and to stand at least 6 feet apart, the Romanian PM bluntly disobeys them.
Ludovic Orban was photographed not wearing a mask inside the Government’s Palace. He was celebrating along with other members of his cabinet who were not wearing masks, too. The ministers were drinking alcohol or smoking cigars, clearly not obeying the social distancing rule as well.
The picture appeared on Friday on social media and went viral. As we can see, apart from not wearing a mask indoors, the PM is also smoking a cigarette, even if the European regulations and the Romanian law forbid it.
The picture stirs controversy in Romania as people started comment and shared it massively over social media networks. Romanians are mainly discontent with the fact that PM doesn’t obey the same rules they are forced to obey during COVID-19 pandemic. Their disappointment with the ministers deeds is all the more so as Romanian authorities imposed one of the most drastic regime during the emergency situation in EU, with fines of up to $4500 for not obeying the lockdown rules.
Not wearing a mask indoors during the Romanian state of alert, which replaced the state of emergency, is punished in Romania with a fine of up to $1200, while the fines for smoking in closed spaces is less, of only up to $120.
By behaving like this, the Romanian PM loses his legitimacy. Unfortunately, his ‘excuses’ offered after his alcohol and cigars party did not convince the Romanians. Reportedly, he said ‘They can fine me for smoking indoors‘.
![](https://valahia.news/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Advertise-your-business-with-us-1.jpg")
