Conte unveils plan for Italian life after lockdown
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte promised Italians on Sunday they might soon be permitted to stroll in parks and visit relatives as the united states emerges from the world's longest coronavirus lockdown.
The Italian leader also vowed to reopen schools by September & most other businesses over another three weeks.
But he warned that people would need to wear face masks in public places and rigorously observe social distancing measures when the current restrictions are lifted on, may 4.
Hugs and handshakes it's still discouraged and a decision to restart Italy's beloved Serie A football championship has been postponed. Italy was entering a time "of responsibility and coexistence with the virus", Conte told the country in a televised address. "If you value Italy, keep your distance from others."
Conte's announcement followed a frantic weekend of talks with regional and business leaders aimed at deciding the way the nation of 60 million will come out of its most traumatic experience since World War II. Italy's official coronavirus death toll of 26,664 is Europe's highest and only second globally to america.
But the number of instances has been ebbing and Italy believes its contagion rate -- reported at between 0.2 and 0.7 -- is low enough below the main element threshold of 1 1.0 to make contact with work. Its 260 new deaths reported on Sunday were the cheapest single-day toll since March 14.
"We cannot continue beyond this lockdown -- we risk damaging the country's socioeconomic fabric too much," said Conte. "The damage could possibly be irreversible," he warned. Italy slowly but surely closed everything over the first half March since it became increasingly clear an initial crop of cases in northern areas around Milan was spreading.
Scientists now believe that Italy's infections probably started out in January if not earlier and that the virus was running rampant by enough time the first official COVID-19 death was recorded on February 21. But Italy's healthcare system held the line and Conte now seems to feel safe enough to focus on mending an economy that his team expects to shrink by eight percent this season.
Conte said his government will allow a select band of "strategic" companies to resume businesses on Monday. Restaurants can open for takeout and wholesale stores can resume business on May 4. All the shops will observe three weeks later -- as will Italy's numerous museums.
Restaurants will be permitted to offer dine-in service and barber shops will return on June 1. Italy's schools were closed before most other businesses and can now be among the last features of daily life allowed to resume. Conte said the go back to school was filled with peril because many teachers were older and at greater threat of catching the virus.
"Schools are in the centre of our attention and will reopen in September," the premier said. Conte explained that resuming tuition before then would involve "an extremely high risk of contagion". Many Italians appeared most worried about when they would finally be able to walk in parks and jog without having to be stopped and fined by the authorities.
Italy's stay-at-home orders were announced nationally on March 9 and require everyone to remain within in regards to a block of their entry way. Some have turned their roofs into improvised gyms and even tennis courts in a collective effort to avoid going stir crazy.
Conte explained that walks in the park and outdoor exercise will be permitted starting May 4. Italians will also be allowed to visit their relatives but with conditions.
"We will allow persons to go to relatives, but only when they respect distance and wear masks," said Conte. "And you will see no (large) family gatherings," he said. Conte said his government would cap nose and mouth mask prices at 50 cents.
