[NoteonMarch11at10:20pm:ItalianPrimeMinisterGiuseppeConte[Notele11marsà22h20: lePremierministreitalienGiuseppeConteannounced the closure of all businesses except for food and health]
Italy will give a new turn of screw in its battle against the Covid-19? While the peninsula already lives in slow motion since the crossing the country in “Protected area”, on Monday, the assumption of new restrictions is on the table. “If we have to take even more drastic measures we will do it”, said Council President Giuseppe Conte on Tuesday. However, he gave himself 48 hours to decide. But pressure is strong from the authorities in Lombardy, the main focus of the epidemic. For the president (League) of the region, Attilio Fontana, it is urgent: “We have requested a complete closure, we cannot continue to move forward with this increase in contagions […] 1,300 additional cases today. “ Concretely, it calls for the closure of almost all economic activities, from retail businesses (in particular bars and restaurants, which today can remain open from 6 am to 6 pm) to public administrations, with the exception of essential services. .
Compromise
After having already decided to put the country in semi-lethargy, Giuseppe Conte still hesitates to place it in an artificial coma. And this while the peninsula is increasingly isolated from the rest of the world with the cancellation of certain flights to the country, the closure of its eastern border by decision of Slovenia and the deployment of Austrian police to the Brenner Pass to avoid allow the passage of goods. In the direction of Switzerland, only cross-border workers can go to Ticino. Before any decision, Giuseppe Conte wants to consult the scientific experts. For the time being, it seeks to avoid an extinction of fires on the peninsula while the South is still relatively spared. A total closure risks “Reveal disproportionate”, he said. The President of the Council can count on the support of the employers who have expressed their “concern” in front of the prospect “The shutdown of factories and transport”. But locally, the association of entrepreneurs would have found a compromise with the Lombardy region for “Regulate the possible suspension or reduction of activities”.
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The affair also took a political turn. Because the far right demands brutal measures. “We demand the closure of everything, immediately”, essentially claimed Matteo Salvini. “We have to close everything by sparing only the strategic sectors so that we can leave, healthy, in a short time. But the government’s response has been negative, “ he was indignant Tuesday afternoon after an interview with Giuseppe Conte forgetting in passing that on February 27, a few days before the explosion of coronavirus cases and the first restrictions, he railed against the limitations partial: “We have to reopen everything that is possible and relaunch factories, shops, bars, shopping centers …” The president of the post-fascist party Fratelli d’Italia, Giorgia Meloni, also asked for a complete closure for two weeks and the appointment of a special commissioner to manage the emergency alongside the government: “A soldier would be fine for me.” But within the majority also voices are raised asking to increase the level of intervention, and in particular that of the mayor (Democratic Party) of Bergamo, Giorgio Gori, whose city is suffering the brunt of the epidemic.
Parliament reduced
Pending a decision, the government is trying to cushion the economic shock. An envelope of 25 billion euros will be released. The plan provides, among other things, for the suspension of payment of social security contributions for the affected sectors, the strengthening of funds for short-time working, the suspension of repayment of home loans for the individuals concerned, tax assistance for businesses or even fifteen days of parental leave. for families and coupons of 600 euros to cover childcare costs. The plan, which will be financed mainly from the deficit, must soon be approved by the Parliament which, due to the epidemic, will meet in reduced form. All the parties agreed that the Chamber of Deputies would not legislate until Wednesday, with only 350 elected in the hemicycle (compared to 630 normally) while avoiding to seat those coming from the most contaminated areas of the north.
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