ROME (AP) – Four Italian territories are being held under a “red-zone” lockdown, with serious restrictions on the circumstances under which people can leave their homes, Premier Giuseppe Conte announced Wednesday night.
What he called “very strict” sanctions on Friday were for Lombardy, Piedmont and Valle d’Osta in the north and for Calabria, which forms the southern toe of the Italian peninsula.
The purpose of the downdown was to increase COVID-19 infections and prevent hospitals from overflowing with cases. It will last at least two weeks, covering 16.5 million of Italy’s 60 million inhabitants and will include Milan, the country’s economic capital.
With very few exceptions, no one will be able to leave or enter the “red zone” territories except for going to work or shopping for necessities. They can also exercise near their homes and while wearing masks.
After days of consultations with regional governors, Health Minister Roberto Spiranza decided which region had received the “red-zone” designation.
“I know these choices will mean sacrifices and hardships, but that (transition) is the only way to turn the tide,” he said in a statement. “Combined, we can do that.”
Barber shops and hair salons may remain open, although other non-essential “Red Zone” shops must be closed.
Less severe restrictions were imposed on the movement to southern Sicily and Puglia, where people could leave their homes, but could not travel between towns or regions, and cafes and rest and rent could only make withdrawals and deliveries.
Classrooms are open in Italy except for the high schools, which will have class-instruction in the “red zone”, only in the first year of nursery, elementary and middle-school.
The latest crash was scheduled to begin on Thursday, but Conte said it would start on Friday instead to give it a streamlined time. Designations will be reviewed every two weeks.
He added that nationwide measures such as the earlier museum closure and overnight curfew would also start a day later on Friday and run until December 3.
Conte promised that his central-left government would allow more funding to help disabled businesses with the latest shutdown this weekend.
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