AGI – Discos closed throughout the country e obligation to wear a mask from 18 to 6 in the morning in the places of nightlife. The government thus intervenes to address the increase in coronavirus infections recorded in recent days. During a meeting lasting over two hours, the Minister of Health, Roberto Speranza, explained to the regional presidents connected by videoconference that the measure was necessary and urgent due to “the resumption of cases, which is also significant in light of the infections in European context“.
With this measure, he reportedly added, “we are giving the country the signal that attention must be kept high”. I also decided to help the entrepreneurs in the sector. Stefano Patuanelli, Minister of Economic Development, expects significant economic damage, “but I see no alternative,” he explained. “We need more attention to avoid going back to the March data”, he insisted, assuring that the government will do everything possible “to give support to the activities that will have losses, finding specific refreshment points also in August”.
The Minister for Regional Affairs is also on the same line, Francesco Boccia. “We remain one of the safest countries in the world for health security; this condition is not accidental but the daughter of the sacrifices we have made and which must be defended. Now – he added – it is time to move forward but limiting as much as possible the activities that require physical contacts and uncontrollable gatherings “.
Criticism from the center right
Most of the Regions have shown their agreement with the decisions announced by the government. Friuli Venezia Giulia has expressed opposition. President Massimiliano Fedriga he asked “to identify a mediation, such as the introduction of the obligatory nature of masks on the dance floors, which could guarantee the businesses concerned to be able to continue their activities.” An appeal that remained unheard.
The leader of the League is also critical, Matteo Salvini, who attacked the government: “Only today more than 200 illegal immigrants have landed and the problem is that it is the Italians, the bartenders, the restaurateurs, the boys, the workers is surreal. This government is incapable of defending the borders, the health and savings of Italians and takes it out on the kids who go out and want to have fun. It is madness”. Also for Fratelli d’Italia, with Ignazio La Russa, the government with its ordinance “is raging against young people who want to be together. Instead of making operational measures of distancing currently non-existent in many situations (from airplanes to free beaches just to give two examples), we are relentlessly on outdoor meeting places for young people without there being a certified clinical need “.
Forza Italia is more cautious. Per Maria Stella Gelmini, group leader in the House, the choice of the executive is “understandable” but “the aid for the managers, this time, must be concrete and immediate”, he stressed. Instead, the applause from Italy alive. “Well the order of Minister Roberto Speranza and the decision of the Government (together with the Regions). It is the right choice”, said the deputy Marco Di Maio.
The operators of the sector are dissatisfied. The opinion of Maurizio Pasca, national president of Silb, the local dance entrepreneurs union of Confcommercio, was negative. “The disco is a scapegoat for social plagues such as alcohol, drugs, violence, which according to statistics find an outlet outside of it and not inside. And now scapegoat for a virus that has a very low viral load. We will observe in the coming months if the contagion will stop when discos are closed. For now – he said – we ask the government for effective help for our companies, which have been closed since the end of February and have employees, rents, taxes to pay “
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