Armored Sicily to try to limit the spread of the coronavirus, but also and above all the damage caused by the exodus of citizens from the North. Transport Minister Paola De Micheli announced that she had blocked connections to and from the island at the request of the President of the region, Nello Musumeci.
"Following the request received yesterday evening from the Region of Sicily, the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Paola De Micheli, signed during the night the Decree which provides for the suspension of connections and ordinary transport of people to and from Sicily. On the other hand, regulate the transport of goods. The objective of the measures included in the Decree is to counter the spread of the epidemiological emergency from COVID-19, limiting as much as possible the risk of possible sources of contagion from outside Sicily "
Source: Ministry of Transport
This is what we read in the note released by the ministry. The purpose of the decree, as the same note reveals, is to stop the return of Sicilians from the northern regions. In a few days, more than 31 citizens have returned to Sicily despite the travel ban. 31 thousand people who, even if asymptomatic, could have brought the coronavirus to the island, risking an exponential increase in the number of cases registered across the Strait, currently equal to 188.
The decree approved on March 16 establishes the almost total suspension of air connectionsboth national and international. Only two flights a day will remain active between Rome and Palermo and another two between Rome and Catania. Also provided:
- the stop of interregional car services;
- the stop of maritime services for the transport of passengers.
However, the transport of goods is permitted, but "people can travel on ships used for the transport of goods exclusively for demonstrated and urgent needs, with the prior authorization of the President of the Region", specifies the decree. .
They will continue to leave the ferries that connect Messina and Villa San Giovanni. However, it will be possible to go on board only for proven work or health needs, or situations of necessity. Stop the trains too, except for one intercity per day which will connect Palermo and Rome. Upon arrival in Sicily, however, health checks will be more stringent for both passengers and drivers of vehicles transporting goods.
We remind you that two days ago the Government took a similar decision for Sardinia as well, imposing the suspension of ordinary connections and transport.
