Entrepreneur Briatore (archive image from January 2019)
Photo: Fabio Cimaglia / APJust a few days ago, Flavio Briatore took on Italian politicians because they issued an "anti-dance decree" for fear of a second corona wave. The former Formula 1 manager didn't like the fact that he had to close his nightclub "Billionaire" in Sardinia early.
Now Briatore himself has Covid-19. As reported by Italian media, the 70-year-old was admitted to the San Raffaele hospital in Milan at the beginning of the week with symptoms of pneumonia and a mild fever. A Covid 19 test was positive.
"Flavio Briatore is in absolutely stable and good conditions," said the Italian news agency Ansa in a statement from his team. Italian media had previously reported, citing hospital sources, that the patient's condition was "serious".
There are also problems with Covid-19 in Briatores since August 19, the nightclub "Billionaire" on the Costa Smeralda of Sardinia, which was closed. In the meantime, more than 60 employees of the discotheque have tested positive for the corona virus. The number of infected people in Sardinia, which had been spared for a long time, rose significantly during the high season that was still running; other clubs are also affected.
more on the subject
Club closings in Italy: "I don't understand how the mayor can link decibels to the virus" By Frank Hornig, Rome
Just last week Briatore had sharply attacked the mayor of Arzachena, where the "Billionaire" is located, because he had tightened the Italian government's "anti-dance decree". The situation on the Costa Smeralda is not critical in a national comparison, said Briatore in a video on Instagram. The local politician only causes damage. "I don't see how the mayor can link decibels to the virus."
The "Billionaire" in Sardinia
Photo: Marcus Brandt / dpaAll discos in Italy have been closed again for a week, as have all clubs in the seaside resorts with open-air dance floors. And from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., it is now mandatory to wear a mask wherever groups of people can form - especially in front of bars on the beach promenades or cafes in city centers.
"You are one of those who terrorized Italy"
Flavio Briatore on the Italian virologist Maria Rita Gismondo
The number of new infections in Italy is currently increasing by 953 and 1210 cases per day. In the whole of the country there are 19,195 people who currently tested positive, a few weeks ago it was a good 12,000.
At the beginning of August Briatore had quarreled with the Italian virologist Maria Rita Gismondo when she was on vacation in Sardinia and said she was staying away from nightclubs like the "Billionaire". "You are one of those who terrorized Italy," Briatore grumbled at the professor.
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