Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced on Sunday evening a new series of measures to stem the upsurge in Covid-19, including restrictions on bar-restaurants and the extension of teleworking.
These measures
“should enable us to face the new wave of contagion which is severely affecting Italy and Europe.
We cannot waste time.
We must implement measures to avoid a new generalized confinement which could seriously endanger the economy, ”
explained Giuseppe Conte during a press briefing at Palazzo Chigi, the seat of government.
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The general philosophy is to limit as much as possible gatherings and induced promiscuity, conducive to the transmission of the virus, whether in public space or in private places.
While restaurants, which must display their maximum capacity outside, must close their doors no later than midnight and accommodate a maximum of six people per table, bars must close at 6 p.m. if they are not able to offer table service to seated customers.
The administration will have to make the civil servants work 75% by telework, a rule which will be strongly recommended to the companies of the private sector.
Face-to-face working meetings should also be avoided in favor of video conferences.
The government has decided that arrivals in schools, where distance education will be promoted, could be phased in to avoid crowds.
Local festivals and fairs, widespread in Italy, will also be banned, affecting a sector which according to the Coldiretti agricultural union represents 34,000 jobs and 900 million euros in annual turnover.
Amateur team sports will also be prohibited.
At the local level, the mayors will be able to decide "the closure to the public, from 9 pm, of streets or places where crowds can be created", also announced Giuseppe Conte.
