Moldova's parliament voted on July 28 to extend a state of emergency for 60 days after the government said it still needed special powers to deal with the fallout from Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita told lawmakers that there are continuing risks to energy and border security and the need to manage the flow of refugees from Ukraine.
"The risks for Moldova due to the war in Ukraine remain high. The government needs additional powers," she said. The extension will come into force on August 8 and continue through October 8.
Around 500,000 refugees have crossed the border since Russia launched the invasion in February. About 100,000 remain in Moldova.
Moldova's parliament voted two days after Russia's invasion to approve a temporary state of emergency and extended the measure in April and again in June.
Separately, Moldova’s Public Health Commission on July 28 recommended Moldovans wear masks to protect against the coronavirus not only in medical institutions but also in public transport, shopping centers, and shops. It made the recommendation based on an increase in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks.
The commission also recommended people take precautions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, including vaccination. It said self-isolation in case of infection is also still recommended.
According to the data presented by the Health Ministry, 5,793 cases of COVID-19 infection were registered between July 18 and July 27, an increase of 72.7 percent compared to last week.