La Republicca is reporting that the government of Italy is taking more drastic measures to contain the spread of Coronavirus in the country. According to a draft decree seen by multiple media organizations, Lombardy and 11 other provinces will be closed from tomorrow through April 3rd.
The new national emergency containment measures have been defined . In article 1 of the draft of the new government decree, which should be launched this evening, there is a ban on entry and exit from Lombardy and 11 other provinces, and the extension of the controlled areas to Piedmont and Emilia-Romagna. In detail, the provinces that have become "red zone" are as follows: Modena, Parma, Piacenza, Reggio Emilia, Rimini, Pesaro and Urbino, Venice, Padua, Treviso, Asti and Alessandria. All new provisions are valid from March 8th until April 3rd.
Included in the decree:
Closed gyms and swimming pools. Derogation for games behind closed doors
The decree also establishes the closure of all gyms, swimming pools, spas and wellness centers in the areas just mentioned. Outdoor sports competitions are allowed only behind closed doors. Shopping centers will have to be closed but only on the weekend. Instead, museums, cultural centers and ski resorts are closed. Schools will also continue to be closed until April 3. Contests are also suspended.
No weddings or funerals. Cinemas and theaters closed
Civil and religious ceremonies, including funeral ceremonies, are suspended. All organized events are also suspended, as well as events in a public or private place, including those of a cultural, recreational, sporting and religious nature, even if held in closed but open to the public places, such as large events, cinemas, theaters, pubs, schools dance halls, game rooms, betting rooms and bingo halls, discos and similar places.
Bars and restaurants open but only if able to distance the patrons
Bars and restaurants may remain open but with the manager's obligation to enforce the interpersonal safety distance of at least one meter, with the sanction of suspension of the activity in case of violation.
Suspended leave for doctors and nurses
Frontline doctors: ordinary leave of health and technical personnel, as well as of personnel whose activities are necessary to manage the activities required by crisis units set up at regional level, are suspended. Furthermore, the access of relatives and visitors to hospitals is limited to only a few cases.
Coronavirus cases in the region jumped by 1,145 from yesterday to today bringing the total known number of cases in Italy to 5,061. The first confirmed case of the virus in the country was on January 31st. A month and a week on, hospitals in hard hit provinces report being at breaking point.
A total of roughly 16 million people will be impacted by drastic action.
#WashYourHands