“The curve of contagion is worrisome, the numbers are serious, and there is a need to intervene urgently.”said Conte…Reports Asian Lite News
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced that his government has approved fresh anti-coronavirus curbs after more than 11,000 new cases were reported in just 24 hours.
“The curve of contagion is worrisome, the numbers are serious, and there is a need to intervene urgently,” Xinhua news agency quoted Conte as saying at a televised press conference on Sunday.
“We just approved new measures that should allow us to face this new wave of infections, which is severely affecting not only Italy but the whole of Europe,” he said.
On Sunday, Italy reported 11,705 new infections, which increased the country’s overall caseload to 126,237, according to the latest data published by the Ministry of Health.
The death toll currently stood at 36,543.
“We cannot waste time,” Conte said. “We must act by fielding all the measures necessary to avert a new generalized lockdown… which would end up severely compromising the entire economic fabric.”
He spoke in reference to Italy’s March to May nationwide lockdown, which brought the country’s economy to a halt.
The Prime Minister also detailed the new measures, which include giving city mayors the option of shutting down busy streets and squares after 9 p.m. in a bid to prevent public gatherings; a ban on amateur contact sports; and the suspension of all local fairs, festivals, conferences and congresses.
Pubs, bars, restaurants, pizzerias and ice cream shops can be open for business between the hours of 5 a.m. to midnight, as long as customers are seated.
Rome, Aug. 18, 2020 (Xinhua) — Restaurant staff wait for customers in Rome, Italy, Aug. 4, 2020. (Xinhua/Cheng Tingting/IANS)
If the customers are standing, then these venues can only serve until 6 p.m., while gaming and betting venues must close at 9 p.m.
“Deliveries are allowed at all times, and takeout is allowed until midnight,” Conte said.
Schools will stay open, with flexible hours for high schools and universities in order to encourage staggered schedules.
“We are aware that we are imposing economic sacrifices to the businesses that will suffer the negative consequences of these closures, and the government is committed to making up for them,” Conte said.
Also read:UK adds Italy to quarantine list