Italy unveils new COVID-19 restrictions as daily infections climb

[webfact]

Italy unveils new COVID-19 restrictions as daily infections climb

By Elvira Pollina and James Mackenzie

 

FILE PHOTO: Empty tables are seen outside a restaurant in Rome as the country tightens regulations in an effort to control rising COVID-19 infections, Rome, Italy, October 14, 2020. REUTERS/Remo Casilli

 

MILAN (Reuters) - Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte gave mayors the power to shut public squares from 9 p.m. to halt gatherings as he unveiled a further package of measures on Sunday to try to halt a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases.

 

As daily cases in Italy hit a new record 11,705 on Sunday, Conte said the situation had become critical but his government has been determined to avoid a repeat of the lockdown imposed at the start of the crisis in March.

 

"The situation is critical. The government is there but everyone must do their part," he told a news conference.

 

As well as ordering betting shops to close from 9 p.m. and halting amateur sporting competitions and local fairs, he said the government would consider closing gyms and swimming pools after further checks on security protocols this week.

 

Italy was the first country in Europe to be hit hard by COVID-19 and has the second-highest death toll in the region after Britain, with 36,543 fatalities since the outbreak flared in February, according to official figures.

 

Authorities had managed to get contagion largely under control by the summer thanks to a rigid two-month nationwide lockdown, but as a second wave has emerged they have ordered new measures, including mandatory mask wearing in public and restrictions on public gatherings and restaurants.

 

COVID-related deaths on Sunday increased to 69, up from 47 the day before, the ministry said - far fewer than at the height of the pandemic in Italy in March and April, when daily fatalities peaked at more than 900.

 

The government will increase smart working in the public administration and is asking high schools to adopt staggered timetables to avoid congestion on public transport.

 

Restaurants and other food shop will be allowed to remain open until midnight but will be able to serve only seated customers after 6 p.m.

Stricter measures have been already imposed in some of the hardest-hit regions, including Campania around Naples, which has closed schools for two weeks.

 

As a part of a new 40 billion euros stimulus package the government approved in its 2021 budget, Rome will set up a 4 billion euro fund to compensate companies which have been worst hit by coronavirus restrictions.

 

(Reporting by Elvira Pollina and James Mackenzie; Editing by Alexandra Hudson and Daniel Wallis)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-10-19

 

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[Stargeezr]

If the people in the world start acting responsible and try their best to help prevent the spread of this virus, the numbers will start to go down in the next 3 weeks.

  This means everyone from 18 years old and older. The young adults have to start thinking of their older relatives and friends, that they will infect if they keep being careless and partying and gathering in groups without wearing their masks properly, and social distancing as well.  The anti- maskers can all just stay home, and isolate. The red necks can order in, as well if they cannot be responsible.  The parents can all teach their children to be careful as well as they can be sick from this virus, just like the other flues and colds and other normal diseases. Good luck every one, we all could use as much gxood luck as possible.

Geezer

[steven100]

13 minutes ago, Stargrazer9889 said:

If the people in the world start acting responsible and try their best to help prevent the spread of this virus, the numbers will start to go down in the next 3 weeks.

  This means everyone from 18 years old and older. The young adults have to start thinking of their older relatives and friends, that they will infect if they keep being careless and partying and gathering in groups without wearing their masks properly, and social distancing as well.  The anti- maskers can all just stay home, and isolate. The red necks can order in, as well if they cannot be responsible.  The parents can all teach their children to be  careful as well as they can be sick from this virus, just like the other flues and colds and

other normal diseases. Good luck every one, we all could use as much good luck as possible.

Geezer

I agree Geezer,  unfortunately it ain't never gonna happen .... too many knuckleheads and drug users in the world today.  imo