Deserted Saint Mark’s Square in Venice, March 9, 2020. – Anteo Marinoni / AP / SIPA
Generalized measurement. Rome decided on Monday evening to strictly limit the travel of all Italians, and to ban all gatherings, extending to the whole country measures already confining a quarter of the population in the north in order to fight the coronavirus.
The measures, already applied since Sunday to a quarter of the Italian population, now concern the approximately 60 million Italians, according to a decree signed Monday evening by the head of the Italian government Giuseppe Conte, and which entered into force on Tuesday. These measures will be valid until April 3. “All over the national territory is prohibited any form of gathering of people in public places or open to the public,” we read in the decree.
” I stay at home “
Italy thus becomes the first country in the world to generalize such draconian measures to try to halt the spread of the coronavirus, which has already killed 463 people and more than 9,000 cases in the peninsula. The decree also specifies that all sporting events “of any level and any discipline” are canceled. Only competitions organized by international institutions can be held, but behind closed doors, according to this official text. The football championship, a veritable institution in the country, has been suspended.
“I am going to sign a decree which can be summarized as follows:” I am staying at home “. There will no longer be a “red zone on the peninsula” (…) The whole of Italy will become a protected zone “, he affirmed in a serious tone during a press point at the seat of government in Rome .
“We must avoid (travel) throughout the territory of the peninsula, unless they are motivated by justified professional reasons, by cases of necessity or by health reasons”, he explained, resuming the very terms of the decree signed Monday evening. Originally scheduled until March 15, the closure of schools and universities will remain in effect until April 3.
Here are the main provisions contained in this text, which essentially refers to the previous decree which came into force on Sunday:
– Limit travel
– As of Tuesday, the travel of the 60 million Italians will be strictly limited. Travel will only be possible in response to “duly verified professional requirements and emergency situations, for health reasons”.
– People with symptoms of respiratory disease and fever are strongly encouraged to stay at home and limit social contact as much as possible, including with their doctor.
– Persons whose contamination with coronavirus has been confirmed are compulsorily under house arrest.
– To avoid professional travel, companies, public and private, are invited to put their staff on leave.
– Avoid all gatherings
– The decree signed Monday evening goes further than that adopted on Sunday by adding an article prohibiting “any form of gathering of people in public places or open to the public”.
– All sporting events and competitions, whatever their nature, are suspended. Sports facilities may only be used behind closed doors (without the public) for the training of professional and non-professional athletes, recognized in the national interest by the Italian Olympic Committee or the sports federations concerned, for their participation in the Games. Olympic or national or international events. All athletes, coaches, managers and accompanying adults must be checked.
– Ski resorts across the country will be closed until April 3.
– All cultural, sporting, religious or festive events are suspended. Cinemas, pubs, theaters, dance schools, game rooms, casinos, nightclubs and other similar places should remain closed.
– All schools and universities will have to close their doors. All competitions are suspended.
– All museums and places of culture will be closed.
– Swimming pools, sports halls, thermal baths, cultural centers and wellness centers must suspend their activities.
– Bars and restaurants can remain open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., provided they respect the safety distance of at least one meter between customers.
– This provision also concerns other commercial activities. Shopping centers and department stores must remain closed on public holidays and the day before public holidays.
– Places of worship remain open, provided that the safety distance of at least one meter is respected, but religious ceremonies (marriage, baptism, funeral) are prohibited until April 3.
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