CHISINAU – Moldova has imposed a nationwide state of emergency as a measure to slow the coronavirus pandemic, which will last from March 17 until at least May 15.
The Moldovan parliament voted for the decision unanimously on March 17, an Interfax correspondent reported from the parliament building.
Before passing the resolution on declaring a state of emergency, the parliament had adopted amendments to the 2004 law on a state of emergency; in particular, it abrogated its provision saying that the parliament cannot adopt and amend organic laws.
“In line with the law’s provisions, some of the citizens’ rights and freedoms shall be restricted during a state of emergency. At the same time, the parliament is entitled to act and decide, as well as delegate powers to emergency commissions, adopt laws and amendments to laws. During a state of emergency, the parliament is only forbidden to pass amendments to the constitution. The amendments that are to be adopted specify the parliament’s powers in such a situation,” Justice Minister Fadei Nagacevschi said.
At the same time, the parliamentary majority agreed with the opposition’s reasons and abandoned its initial plans to exclude the ban on elections during the emergency. Hence, in line with the 2004 law, no elections or referendums are allowed during this period.
Opposition members also insisted on declaring a state of emergency for 30 rather than for 60 days, arguing that otherwise this might excessively restrict the people’s rights and freedoms and involve abuses on the part of the authorities. However, the parliamentary majority disagreed with this and supported the government’s proposal.
“We propose declaring a state of emergency for 60 days, bearing in mind the general situation in Europe and other countries. The situation is developing in an extremely alarming way. We cannot know what is going to happen in two weeks or in a month and whether we will be able to come to the parliament and demand that the state of emergency be extended. I would only be happy if the situation improved and there would be no need to keep the state of emergency for 60 days. I’ll come to the parliament immediately and ask for this emergency to be lifted,” Prime Minister Ion Chicu said.
The government is not planning to introduce measures to restrict human rights and freedoms or those restricting freedom of speech and the media, he said.
“We are not going to resort to this. However, we will be curbing the dissemination of panic, lies, and disinformation. Therefore, we’ll apply sanctions against those who disseminate such information or provokes panic in the community,” Chicu said.
During a state of emergency, the emergency commission is invested with extra powers, and its decisions shall be mandatory for all government agencies and economic agents. The commission will meet on a daily basis, and its decisions shall take effect immediately and shall then be published in the Official Monitor.
As Interfax reported earlier, Moldova registered 29 coronavirus cases. On March 14, the country introduced the Red Code, i.e. the highest level of security precautions in countering an infection outbreak. Moldova has already suspended studies at all educational institutions, closed its borders, suspended air travel, and closed the Chisinau Airport. It also suspended the movement of all international trains and bus routes and closed all shopping centers, stores, restaurants, bars and cafes, except for food stores, pharmacies, and petrol stations.
