[ad_1]
© © |
| Giuseppe Conti |
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced on Friday that the government will extend the state of emergency and the blockade imposed across the country until May 3 to limit the spread of the coronavirus, although some types of stores may reopen from 14 of April.
“This is a difficult but necessary decision for which I take full political responsibility,” Conte said at a press conference.
According to Conte, the restrictive measures are working and opening the country early is risky.
Draconian restrictions on the movement and closure of most stores and businesses in Italy were imposed on March 9 and were to end on Monday (April 13).
Among several exceptions to the extension of the blockade, Giuseppe Conte pointed to bookstores, stationeries and children’s clothing stores that could be reopened as of April 14.
He also commented on an agreement reached on Thursday by eurozone finance ministers on the bloc’s total economic support package, noting that “it is not yet enough,” adding that Italy will continue to fight for the issuance of common debt through joint eurobonds.
Europe needs 1.5 million euros to recover from the viral crisis, Conte said, stressing that the EU Recovery Fund should start immediately.
The prime minister said Italy would establish an expert working group to restart the economy.
[ad_2]
