Extreme Italy security measures to curb the expansion of the coronavirus, while infections in five regions already exceed 130 after 89 cases were confirmed only in Lombardy and two in Venice. The decree law approved by the extraordinary Council of Ministers held on Saturday night, which seeks to isolate the sources of contagion with severe measures against the mobility of neighbors, will already begin to have effects. But so far, the mayor of Milan (1.3 million inhabitants), Giuseppe Sala, has announced that the economic capital of Italy will close all schools, cinemas and theaters next week. Several sporting events have also been canceled. The last two days of the Carnival of Venice, on Monday and Tuesday of next week, have been suspended after two positives will be recorded in the city.
The last balance speaks of 132 people infected in five regions of Italy, counting the two Chinese tourists who are still admitted to a hospital in Rome and who contracted the disease outside Italy. Beyond the beginning of the dispersion, the Government still does not find the origin of the contagion and the supposed zero patient, but considers that there are two clear sources of contagion: the province of Lodi and its 10 municipalities, and the town of Vo 'Euganeo, in Veneto. Both areas are affected by the decree law that forces its citizens from this morning to remain confined without being able to enter or leave these territories and to undergo strict control and supply measures.
Different police forces are beginning to reach these locations to establish access controls and seal the area. The president of the Italian Government, Giuseppe Conte, already announced on Saturday night that the police would be mobilized to prevent the entry and exit of people and "if necessary, also the army" and that there would be "criminal penalties for those who violate the prescriptions ". A situation of almost a state of exception that could spread to other areas of infection if the virus continues to spread. The Executive considers that, for now, it is the only way to stop it, but Conte, who this morning has canceled his presence at the Mass of the Pope celebrated in Bari, renounces to close the airspace and the Schengen treaty.
The coronavirus expansion map
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Universities will remain closed and sporting events, including the matches that were to be held this Sunday in Serie A (Inter-Sampdoria, Atalanta-Sassuolo and Verona-Cagliari) are canceled. The mayor of Milan, a city that is celebrating his fashion week, has also suggested that the rest of the towns in the metropolitan area should continue their initiative to close schools for at least next week. “It is a preventive intervention. Today we plan to do it for a week and I think it will be enough. ” For his part, the designer Giorgio Armani has decided to hold behind closed doors, without the presence of the public, the two parades scheduled for the afternoon of this Sunday because of the coronavirus. In a statement, the firm says the measure aims to "safeguard the well-being of all its guests."
The president of the Lombardy region, Attilio Fontana, confirmed that the cases in the region have already risen to 89. Among them, there is that of a 17-year-old boy who lives in Valtellina, an Alpine town, but who studies at an institute from Codogno, the town from where it is believed the contagion began. "Nationally we exceed a hundred," added Fontana, who said the main focus is still in the province of Lodi. Fontana explained that the Lombardy region has made available two centers to isolate the affected people in quarantine, but they are looking for other places "because the number will be very relevant."
The governor of the Veneto region, Luca Zaia, confirmed on Saturday 25 cases, while there are two infections in Emilia Romagna. The number of deaths remains two: the 78-year-old man from the town of Vo 'Euganeo, in the province of Padua (Veneto), and a 77-year-old woman who was in Codogno, but who died on February 20 in his home due to respiratory complications, and that a test performed after his death has confirmed that he was positive for the virus.