• Live.Coronavirus, last minute
  • Pandemic: the number of deaths and infections has increased in the last 24 hours in Italy

The Italian Government will maintain the confinement throughout the country - which expired on April 13 - until May 3. The new decree that is expected this Friday will contain certain openings: from April 14, libraries 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 and, perhaps, baby clothing stores.

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.

At a government meeting chaired yesterday by Giuseppe Conte and attended by union representatives, work was done to build a mechanism that would allow the prefects and presidents of the regions to evaluate the reopens staggered according to the epidemiological curves of each territory.

Staggered reopening

During the video conference, Conte repeated several times the thought that haunts him these days: "We can't risk starting again." The fear is that the rush will spoil the sacrifices that the Italians have made to contain the pandemic.

Deaths in Italy with coronaviruses rose to 18,279 yesterday, with 610 in a single day, a figure that breaks the downward trend in daily deaths, while infections also increased. The total cases since the virus was detected on February 20 were 143,626, 4,204, 3,836 more. The highest figure since April 5, reported Civil Protection.

"The R0 index has fallen below the threshold of 1, but it is not yet stable and may rise again," the scientists warn. Therefore, we have to wait until May 3. To explain why, for the first time since the emergency began, Conte has decided to sign a three-week measure, one more than quarantine, we must pay attention to the calendar: there are very high-risk dates.

More controls

The Scientific Technical Committee has suggested going over the bridges of April 25 and May 1 because it fears the desire of Italians to enjoy the good weather, which could trigger 'leaks' to second residences or tourist places. "You cannot go from confinement to liberation," experts warn. Yesterday the Ministry of the Interior decreed an increase in police controls on the country's roads and at the entrance to the cities, which will also be toughened next week.

In the face of what Conte called phase two of the emergency, that is, the "gradual and progressive recovery of activities" in the country, companies will be prepared for reopening. Sanitation, social distancing and safety guidelines are being studied, such as ensuring the use of gloves and masks.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

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