Swine flu shuts borders and imposes emergency alerts, the Romanian press reads. Elsewhere in the news, war veterans are betrayed by their own country. Last but not least, a Romanian newspaper publishes an open letter addressed to the European Commission's president, accusing Traian Basescu of undemocratic practices.

Swine flu shuts borders and imposes emergency alerts, Romania Libera reads. 40 A/H1N1 flu cases have been reported during the weekend at Sinaia hotel from Prahova (Central-South). A Portuguese woman was the source of the infection and she refused to be hospitalised for 48 hours after the diagnosis was confirmed. All 40 tourists are now hospitalised with Matei Bals Institute.

The hotel was shot down for two days, while Romanian authorities have started to rethink the swine flu management strategy. The number of infections is increasing. More money is currently being allocated to buy the vaccine from the international market, despite the fact that Romania set itself to produce it locally with the Cantacuzino Institute. Authorities hope the buying procedures and bureaucracy will get the jab more quickly from outside the Romanian borders into the medical centres. In the meantime, authorities stress people to follow hygiene rules. According to specialists, the infected become contagious 24-48 hours before any sign of the disease is noticed.

Romania's neighbours have already taken drastic measures, the publication goes on. In Ukraine, the government declared national pandemic and closed down all schools, postponed all public meetings, concerts and movies and restricted train travel for the next three weeks. Poland is considering closing the border with Ukraine. In Bulgaria, it has been declared emergency state, schools were closed and Nicopole, a city close to the Romanian southern border, postponed all public meetings. @N_P