Information from the Minister of Health
Orazio Schillaci
to the Senate on the Covid situation following the emergency in China.
"
We've had a perfect storm in China,
" Schillaci said.
"A paradoxical unicum, the images of megalopolises have been an icon of the disease, impressive and unacceptable standards for a democracy. Only 4 million cases reported at the end of November. Few vaccinations in China, poor level of protection of the vaccines used, few booster doses. Omicron until recently had little circulation with low hybrid immunity. Then this fall the perfect storm."
"The first laboratory results show in China the circulation of
variants and sub-lineages already present in our territory
and this is the most reassuring news", Schillaci highlighted during the briefing, underlining that the information coming from the Asian country is insufficient and little reliable.
"I have signed the
extension of the use of masks in health care facilities and in RSAs until next April 30,
" the minister announced.
"
A connection with the EU is needed to limit the influx of positive passengers from the Asian country
, we have maintained relations with the ECDC for a continuous exchange of information for rapid measures and Italy participates in the early warning project", Schillaci said.
ANSA Agency
Covid alarm: mandatory tests for those arriving from China - Chronicle
At Malpensa one positive out of two.
He also buffers in the US.
The EU is moving (ANSA)
The Hainan Airlines flight from Chongqing
landed
at 5.44 this morning at Fiumicino airport .
This is the first flight from China to the Roman airport, after yesterday's decision by the Lazio Region Health Department to resume anti-Covid tests for passengers from China, and after Health Minister Schillaci has ordered the mandatory antigenic swabs for all passengers coming from China and transiting through Italy.
The tests at the Roman airport for travellers, immediately after disembarkation, in a dedicated area not accessible to unauthorized persons.
In the mid-afternoon another flight from China is scheduled to arrive, coming from Hangzhou and operated by Air China, and in the evening the third and last flight of the day, from Wenzhou, with China Eastern Airlines.
In the meantime, during her press conference at the end of the year,
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni underlined that action was taken immediately
and that the situation is under control, but tampons and masks are useful.
"Regarding what happened in China, we immediately moved
in line with what we have asked for in the past: we have provided the swab for all those who come from China, but it is effective if it is taken from the whole EU.
For this reason we wrote to Brussels We
expect the EU to want to work in this direction. We need to understand whether what is coming is covered by vaccines or not. Up to now, only Omicron has been revealed. Right now it should be reassuring. The Chinese case proves it: work on responsibility and not coercion: situation quite under control".
In the meantime , the Minister of Health, Orazio Schillaci,
will report in the Chamber to the Senate at 3.30pm and to the Chamber at 5pm
.
Yesterday the oppositions had asked for his information also in light of the ordinance on mandatory tampons for those arriving from China.
Via the tampons at airports with
the order of the Minister of Health
Schillaci in force from the day of publication in the Gazette until 31 January 2023. Those entering Italy from China will have to present the certification of having undergone, in the 72 hours prior to entry in our country, to a molecular test, or, in the previous 48 hours, to an antigen test.
Obligation to undergo an antigen test upon arrival at the airport, or if this is not possible within 48 hours.
In case of positivity, the obligation to immediately undergo the molecular test for sequencing and fiduciary isolation with final test.
Provided that no symptoms of COVID-19 arise, the ordinance reads, the provisions do not apply "to children under the age of six, crew members and traveling staff of means of transport of people and goods, officials and to agents, however named, of the European Union or of international organisations, diplomatic agents, administrative and technical staff of diplomatic missions, consular officials and employees, military personnel, including those returning from international missions, and of the of Police, to the personnel of the Information System for the security of the Republic and of the Fire Brigade in the exercise of their functions".
