Italy cannot control the spread of the corona virus. More and more people are dying. The prime minister now pulls the emergency brake. And declares all of Italy a restricted area. With dramatic consequences for around 60 million people.
Rome (AP) - The Italian government is extending the restrictions and restrictions on freedom of movement due to the Coronavirus crisis to the whole country.
There is no time to waste to limit the spread of the virus, said Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. "Our habits have to change, we all have to give up something for the good of Italy." International train and flight connections as well as local public transport should not be suspended.
Schools, universities and kindergartens across the country will remain closed until April 3rd. All sporting events, including Serie A games, will also be suspended. Around 60 million people are affected by the measures.
At the weekend, the government declared Lombardy and other areas in northern Italy restricted areas. You can only get in and out of them for good reasons - for example, for technical reasons or for health reasons. You have to submit a self-declaration.
The country is fighting a rapidly increasing number of people infected and killed by Covid-19 lung disease. In the meantime, almost 10,000 people have contracted it, and more than 460 have died. The new regulation should apply from Tuesday.
"There will be no more red zones (...). There will be a single protection zone Italy," said Conte. One of the reasons for the decision may also be that many people had fled the restricted areas in the north to the south, which had previously been less affected, before the controls began. Events with many people are no longer allowed to take place across the country.
It is still unclear exactly what the new regulation means for foreigners in Italy and the remaining tourists. However, tourists have so far been able to leave the restricted areas in the north. However, airlines had cut or completely cut their connections to the north. At the borders, immigrants to Italy should be checked.
In view of the coronavirus epidemic, the Federal Foreign Office in Berlin had previously warned of trips to numerous areas in the north and center of Italy. "Limit travel in and to Italy to what is necessary at the moment," says the current travel and safety information.