Coronavirus, lockdown extended to May 3rd. Conte: "Measurements are bearing fruit"

Share

"We extend the restrictive measures until May 3, a difficult but necessary decision for which I assume all political responsibilities." So the premier Giuseppe Conte at the press conference at Palazzo Chigi announcing the new dpcm. "We cannot nullify the efforts made so far", we would risk "an increase in deaths and victims", he adds.

"We have to keep our guard up. The hope is that after May 3rd we can start again. Gradually, but start again," he explains. "The extension also applies to production activities. I promise that even if the conditions are met before May 3, we will try to take action accordingly."

Without valid reasons (work, shopping, health visits) it will therefore be forbidden to leave your home. From April 14, stationery stores and bookstores, shops for babies and children, and wood cutting. "Let's start these activities with grain salis" continues Conte.

Work for phase 2 has already started. Committee established, leading Colao
"The work for phase 2 has already started, we cannot wait for the virus to disappear from our territory. We will need an articulated and organic program on two pillars: a working group of experts and the safety protocol in the workplace". The premier then announces that he has "signed the decree" for the establishment of a committee of experts to work alongside the technical-scientific committee for phase two of the health emergency. At the head of the committee, the former CEO of Vodafone, Vittorio Colao.

Now production safety models
"Safety models are now acquired in production activities, companies sanitize workplaces from now on" recommends Conte.

Recovery with strict sanitary measures, attentive to tourism
"We hypothesize a resumption of activities at full capacity with rigorous health safety protocols" he continues. "We have to be careful, there could be a return infection. Let's think about tourism: tourism attracts people from abroad".

New economic decree by the end of April
"Now we will devote ourselves to the decree for the economic measures we want to take before the end of April."

Eurogroup? A step forward but insufficient
"The Eurogroup's proposals are a first step towards a European response: Gualtieri did a great job yesterday. But it is a first step that Italy, and we fully agree with Gualtieri on this, still considers insufficient".

"The first estimates tell us that 1500 billion euros are needed" to face the crisis. "The main battle is that of a fund that must be financed with Eurobonds. There must be a proportionate firepower" to the challenge, adds Conte. "And the fund must be available immediately," he explains.

Mes trap? He has been there since 2012, Meloni was minister
"If the MES is a trap, whoever made this trap takes public responsibility: in 2012 there was a center-right government and if I remember correctly Meloni was minister" adds Conte. "As for the Mes, when we started working on the European table, many states recalled the existing tools including the Mes. I said to the European Council 'we are not talking about the Mes and Italy is not interested'. Italy is an outpost but now all the other countries are suffering, the economic depression affects everyone, the injury to the socio-economic fabric affects everyone ".

"Some countries that are with us - explains the premier - believe that the MES suits their needs, Italy agrees to discuss an unconditional MES because these countries ask us to do it. He was also here to lead this battle together, a principle has been put in place that a completely new line of credit can be activated, with a restriction on the destination of spending on healthcare. But it does not concern Italy, Italy is more ambitious ", he concludes.