By Silvia Marchetti
ROME (MaceNews)- Italy’s government will implement new anti-COVID restrictions in a bid to tackle the second pandemic wave that is rocking the country, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte told parliament on Monday.
“The pandemic is worsening. The government is forced to intervene with new measures through a multi-tier system based on regional contagion levels and risk,” said Conte, arguing that a new nationwide lockdown would be counterproductive despite roughly 25,000 new virus cases each day.
There will be three levels of restrictions based on the regional contagion outlook, he added, while “in the worst-case scenario, army doctors could be deployed” to boost national health authorities relief efforts.
Out of a total 20 Italian regions, 15 are at high risk of contagion and face a critical hospital situation, added the premier, who announced the upcoming distribution of rapid COVID tests and said the government was working on a plan for vaccine distribution once ready.
Conte also announced a nationwide weekend closure of malls, retail outlets, and museums, and more remote schooling, while public transport will be cut by 50% and there will be a partial evening curfew, with access to risky regions banned.
The prime minister stressed that the government stood ready to provide more support to the economy, in particular for workers facing tough times.
“We have already given financial support to economic sectors which have been forced to shut by law, and agreed that the freeze on layoffs will be postponed till end of March (2021),” said Conte, adding that the government is working at the roadmap with key reforms to be funded at European level through the pandemic Recovery Fund.
The new measures are expected to be introduced this week.