Covid-19: Faced with a record number of contaminations, Italy strengthens its restrictions

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, announcing new restrictions on Covid-19 at a press conference in Rome, October 25, 2020. Yara Nardi / Reuters

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Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced on Sunday October 25 the strengthening of restrictions to stem the rise in coronavirus contaminations.

Health indicators are deteriorating more and more quickly.

Emergency services are overloaded, especially in Lombardy, Campania and Lazio.

As a result, all so-called non-essential activities are suspended or restricted until November 24.

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From 12,000 in July, the number of cases of Covid-19 contamination rose to 203,000 at the end of October in Italy.

Authorities announced on Saturday that they had recorded 20,000 new cases over the previous 24 hours, a national record.

Since the start of the pandemic, the country has recorded more than 500,000 cases of infection and more than 37,000 deaths.

Faced with this situation which is deteriorating this fall,

, the government announced, Sunday, October 25, reinforced restrictions, a week after the entry into force of the

.

Scientists fear that they will soon count "

From Monday October 26, and until November 24, all so-called non-essential activities are suspended in Italy.

And this despite violent protests, some perpetrated by far-right supporters, in Naples on Friday and in Rome on Saturday.

The government took heed of the appeal launched by around 100 experts.

This umpteenth decree from the President of the Council follows in particular the letter signed by prestigious scientists, who addressed to the Head of State, Sergio Mattarella, and to the Prime Minister, Giuseppe Conte reports our correspondent in Rome,

.

In their letter, they asked for much more drastic measures to prevent Italy from arriving " 

 ".

► Read also: Covid-19: are Italians becoming more resilient? 

Government calls on Italians to stay at home  

Sports halls and swimming pools will therefore be closed from this Monday, as will cinemas and theaters.

The closing time for bars and restaurants is brought forward to 6 p.m., except on Sundays and public holidays, when they can be served until 11 p.m.

Schools remain open, but in high schools, at least 75% of lessons will be held remotely.

Finally, the government recommends avoiding leaving home and any travel, by car or public transport, except in case of necessity.

(With AFP)

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• Italy

• Health and medicine

• Coronavirus

• Giuseppe Conte

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