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ROME: Italy’s Health Minister said on Sunday (November 1) that the new data on the coronavirus was “terrifying” and that the country had two days to pass further restrictions to curb its spread.
On Saturday, Italy recorded nearly 32,000 new coronavirus cases, its highest daily record since the start of the crisis, and just under 300 deaths. The total number of people who have died from COVID-19 in Italy stands at 38,618.
“We have 48 hours to try to approve a new tightening (of the rules), there are too many people around,” Health Minister Roberto Speranza was quoted as saying by the Corriere della Sera newspaper.
READ: Italy publishes a daily record of more than 31,000 new COVID-19 cases
A new lockdown, although not as extensive as the one imposed in March, appeared to be the only option to curb the numbers, he said, but there were still questions about how to run schools and improve public transportation conditions.
“The epidemiological curve is still very high. What worries me the most is the absolute data, which shows a terrifying curve,” Speranza said.
READ: New protests looming in Italy as Europeans tire of COVID-19 restrictions
Last week, the coalition government led by Prime Minister Conte imposed restrictions on business activity, ordered bars and restaurants to close at 6 p.m. and closed gyms, cinemas and theaters to try to stop a rapid resurgence of the coronavirus. .
Many cities and regions, including Lombardy, which has suffered the brunt of the contagion from Italy, also adopted local curfews.
Conte has repeatedly said that he wants to avoid a new national lockdown that would further harm the fragile economy, but the recently approved rules have proven insufficient to stem the contagion.
On Sunday, the government met with representatives of the regional government and opposition parties. A decree is expected to be announced on Monday that could limit travel between regions, impose local blockades in areas with a high contagion rate and increase the use of homeschooling.
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