Over 12,000 calls to 112, related to COVID-19
The Special Telecommunications Service, as the administrator of the Emergency Service, appeals to citizens to call 112 only for emergencies, and to request information about the new coronavirus to call the TELVERDE line - 0800.800.358 (0800.800. FLU). STS has taken all measures to ensure that calls are answered 24/7, even in overcrowded conditions.
between February 25 and March 18 this year, STS operators took over 12,000 calls related to the COVID-19 virus. In many cases, citizens called the single emergency number 112 to find out information about the coronavirus, without having real emergencies.
The Special Telecommunications Service has taken additional measures regarding taking calls to 112 on the issue of the new coronavirus. The way of working in the situation where a call is received regarding COVID-19 is adapted to the situation presented by the caller. Thus, calls through which citizens report specific symptoms are directed to agencies with medical competences, those regarding persons who do not comply with the self-isolation/quarantine regime established by the authorities are directed to the Police, and for information calls, callers are advised to call the TelVerde phone number - 0800.800.358.
We remind you that calling 112 abusively, falsely or to make jokes is punishable by a fine of up to 5,000 lei. The detection of contraventions and the application of fines are done by the staff of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Situations in which citizens have called the single emergency number 112 to ask questions about the coronavirus, without having real emergencies:
1. A caller of number 112 wanted to know if "the trains are still running" and if "he can go to another city?";
2. A caller called the emergency number to ask if "the post office is open";
3. A person wanted to know if he can go "to the bank on Monday", given the declaration of the state of emergency;
4. A person called 112 to announce that "a cousin came from Italy and is sick with the coronavirus", then immediately hung up. When the STS operator called back, the person admitted that he was "playing because he's a trickster";
5. A smoking caller, in isolation, reported to the emergency number that he has no more cigarettes and wants someone to go and take him home;
6. Angry that he was abandoned by his concubine, a citizen announced that the woman "came back 2 days ago from Italy and has a fever";
7. A man called 112 to find out what the restrictions are "because I'm getting married".
8. A person quarantined at home asked 112 if he could go outside the block for 2-3 minutes;
9. Several callers called to report lack of money or food;
10. A citizen wanted to know if "home tests are done" because he also wants such a test;
11. A woman announced that a "clandestine with a car" man had come from France. Although the man in question did not leave the house, the woman was outraged "why wasn't he seized at customs?";
12. A person reported to 112 that he is being kept in the house abusively because of the coronavirus and has no food for the cat. She threatened to contact the television stations to report this abuse;
13. A person in home isolation, coming from Belgium, called 112 to request a day off to go to another locality where he had to sign a contract;
14. A caller called to find out under what conditions he can organize an almsgiving with several people, as a result of a death in the family;
15. A person wanted to know where he can get a certificate certifying that he does not have the coronavirus;
16. A lady wanted to know if quarantine is mandatory in the situation where her husband wants to go to the Netherlands and return to Romania;
17. An employee of a car wash asked 112 if he has the right not to come to work during the state of emergency;
18. A citizen is to ask: "Why don't they close all the factories? Because some colleagues do not want to admit that their relatives from abroad have returned";
19. A man asked if "is the neighbor allowed to call the painters to paint, given that it is an emergency?";
20. A person called 112 to ask if "the isolation of a member implies the isolation of the family" or "I remain in isolation, but the wife can go shopping?".