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  • Pandemic.Confinition until May 3 in Italy, but with reopens in April

Civil Protection has reported this Saturday that the deaths from coronavirus in Italy amount to 19,468, with 619 in a single day, an increase compared to yesterday (570). The total cases since the virus was detected on February 20 have also increased compared to yesterday, they are 152,271, 4,694 more.

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte yesterday extended confinement across the country - which expired on April 13 - until May 3. The new decree contains certain openings: as of April 14, bookstores and stationeries will be able to reopen their doors , as will companies that manufacture agricultural machinery, those that dry or work wood and forestry companies, laundries and baby clothes stores. Schools will however remain closed.

However, these reopens will not take place in April in the Lombardy region , the most affected in the country by the pandemic and whose authorities have been warning for weeks of the risk of relaxing the measures too soon. They will have to wait until May 3. The new ordinance signed by the Lombard president, Attilio Fontana , this Saturday, states that in the northern region - unlike the rest of the country - it will only be possible to buy books, stationery, flowers and plants in supermarkets. Baby and children's clothing stores are the only exception and will reopen in Lombardy.

The region today registers 10,511 deaths since the pandemic began, 273 more in the last 24 hours, an increase compared to Friday (216). "It is not over at all, we should not think that the worst has happened because the data is not stable," said Health Councilor Giulio Gallera . And he has warned that new infections and hospitalizations are twice as high as yesterday in Milan. Gallera has emphasized that the income in intensive care has been reduced, "a sign that the virus could be less aggressive and dangerous."

Italian Health Minister Roberto Speranza has also warned that "we are still in this crisis, we are reaping the first fruits of impressive work and of the enormous sacrifices our citizens have made." "We are working on a response from the system so that families, companies and people can live their lives fully again," added the minister, "but until we have a vaccine, social distancing is our only weapon."

Facing the so-called 'phase two' of the emergency, that is, the gradual and progressive recovery of activities in the country, companies will be prepared for the reopening. All those who can carry out their activity again starting next week must comply with the security measures planned to contain the infection: staggered entrances, a distance of at least one meter between people and the provision of protective devices ( gloves and masks) for staff working for the public, but also for those involved in administrative acts.

Otherwise, the date marked in red on the Italians' agendas is May 4 . On that day, if all goes well, controls could also be relaxed for part of the millions of citizens who have been forced to stay home for weeks to contain the coronavirus. The elderly and people at higher risk will have to keep protecting themselves longer.

"The curve is going down in Italy, the measures are working. But if we relax we can lose everything we have achieved . We must remain strict for the upcoming holidays. In May, we can gradually start going out, if we continue to maintain the good data Conte said yesterday at a press conference.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

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