The first known case of COVID-19 in Romania was confirmed in Gorj County (North West of the country) on February 26, 2020. As of March 31, a minimum of 200 cases per day were confirmed. Currently, the most affected cities are Suceava and Bucharest, totalling almost half of the number of infected people in Romania. On May 2, 2020, 12,732 cases of coronavirus infection were confirmed in the country. 4,547 were cured and released from the hospital. So far, a number of 755 deaths were reported.

Romania is a party to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the European Convention on Human Rights and the Revised Social Charter, meaning it must ensure access to health and protect life, without discrimination. While the Romanian government adopted the UN CRPD in January 2011, they have never reported to the Committee and their report is now seven years overdue. An initial report must be submitted two years after the report, the absence of which blocks the Committee’s review process on progress made towards the implementation of the Convention.

Sasca Micaa is one of the largest residential facilities in Romania, which has recently received significant European Union funding for renovation work. Nonetheless, consistent with recent information, living conditions within the Centre remain sub-standard. In particular, the 250-bed-building where the infected residents are quarantined has large dormitories, bunk beds, and its upper stories are inaccessible for those who use a wheelchair. Access to the facility for external monitors has become virtually impossible.