According to Giuseppe Conte, the measures will allow “to face the new wave of contagions that is severely affecting Italy and Europe”.
“We cannot waste any time. We have to take measures to avoid a new widespread confinement, which could seriously endanger the economy ”, justified the head of the Italian Government, at a press conference, at the Chigi Palace, headquarters of the Government, in Rome.
The principle is to limit gatherings as much as possible, conducive to the transmission of covid-19 infection, both in public and private spaces.
Restaurants, which will have to indicate their maximum capacity abroad, can only have six people per table and must close at midnight at the latest, while bars at 18:00 if they do not have table service.
The teleworking regime should be extended to 75% of public sector employees, a rule recommended for private companies. Work meetings should preferably be held by videoconference.
Teleworking will reduce the pressure on public transport, which should limit its capacity, especially during peak hours, to safeguard the physical distance between passengers.
Distance learning will be privileged, but, when in person, the entrance and exit of students from schools must be done in order to avoid agglomerations.
Local festivals and fairs, which represent 34,000 jobs and 900 million euros of annual turnover, are now banned, as are amateur team sports.
The mayors of the municipalities can close, from 21:00, streets or places where crowds can form.
Italy recorded 11,705 new cases of covid-19 infection in the last 24 hours, almost 800 more than on Saturday, which represents the biggest increase since the beginning of the pandemic, according to data released today by health authorities.
The first European country hit by the pandemic, Italy accounts for 36,543 deaths among the more than 414,000 confirmed cases of infection.
Since October 7, the use of a mask abroad is mandatory, risking the offenders to a fine that can reach 1,000 euros. The state of emergency in the country was extended until January 31.
The covid-19 pandemic has already claimed more than 1.1 million deaths and almost 40 million cases of infection worldwide, according to a report by the French news agency AFP.
In Europe, the highest number of fatalities is recorded in the United Kingdom (43,646 dead, more than 722 thousand cases), followed by Italy (36,543 dead, more than 414 thousand cases), Spain (33,775 dead, more than 936 thousand cases) and France (33,392 dead, more than 867 thousand cases).
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