Coronavirus, tougher restrictions on the way: the latest news

Schools, station bars, parks, but also sports, walks and travel to second homes, without forgetting (in Rome) the tightening on cars at the weekend and perhaps the closure of tobacconists in Milan.

The fight against Coronavirus imposes new restrictions and the order of the Ministry of Health is another step in this direction. The decree that requires you to stay at home and limit travel as much as possible expires on Wednesday 25 March, but the Government seems willing to anticipate the times, launching new rules of conduct to try to slow down the spread of the coronavirus and give some breathing room to hospitals, many of which - especially in the North - are now on their last legs.

At Palazzo Chigi they are discussing what to do: the extension of the current restrictions is now taken for granted, while the debate is centering on the possible new limitations to be applied, listening to the requests (in some cases very different) of the Regions and asking for the opinion of the experts of the Scientific Committee.

Yes to sport but only close to home and individually, closed public parks, severe limits on travel to second homes, closure of bars in railway stations: these are the latest news from the Health Ordinance but they will not be the last. So let's try to understand what the scenarios are and what's cooking.

ARMY ON THE STREET

From 20 March in Campania and Sicily, but also in Milan, the first soldiers can already be seen on the street. It could just be the beginning. The arrival of another 7.000 men distributed throughout the country is expected, Lombardy and Rome in the first place, but there would be an additional 13 soldiers available. 

Defense Minister, Lorenzo Guerini, gave "full availability to the use of the military engaged in Safe Roads for the management of the coronavirus emergency. The Armed Forces are ready to do their part, as they are already doing both on the health front and in territorial control". Their task will be to guarantee capillary control of the territory, giving a hand to the police and carabinieri committed to flushing out those who violate the rules. Today, it must be remembered, more than 200 people have been checked and 9.407 have been reported. There were 99.806 controlled businesses, 205 businesses reported and 21 businesses suspended.

SUPERMARKETS

Some ask to keep supermarkets closed on Sundays, others extend the closure to the whole weekend. There are proposals that focus instead on the timetable: fewer hours from Monday to Friday shutters closed at 15pm on Saturday. Positions on the issue vary from Region to Region and some of them have already decided to intervene on their own: such as Lazio, where until April 3 supermarkets will close at 19pm from Monday to Saturday, while on Sundays at 15pm.

The Veneto Region has asked for more restrictions, with the governor Luca Zaia who signed an ordinance ordering the closure of shops on holidays. Lombardy, on the other hand, seems to be going in the diametrically opposite direction. Giulio's Councilor for Welfare In fact, Gallera said that reducing supermarket opening hours would be "a serious mistake". "I would always leave them open," she added, to avoid gatherings. “There isn't a food emergency, let's not create panic in people who think they can't find food, it will get crowded and already today there are very long queues because the rules of distancing are respected. It makes no sense to close at 18pm, concluded Gallera.

An initial response came from the Government, which clarified on the rumors circulating: “Supermarkets, hypermarkets and grocery stores will remain open over the weekend“. No indication for the moment on the timetables. 

THE WALKS

For the moment it is still possible go out for a walk or to play sports in the open air, as long as gatherings are avoided but the rules are changing and the health ordinance is clear: sport yes but individually and only close to home. On the street, everywhere, there are still too many people, which is why stricter measures are being considered. Take your dog out? Yes, but only within a certain distance from your home. Outdoor sport will be subject to strong limitations, even if not to an absolute ban. The chosen solution is that of allow outdoor sports in solitude and without stopping anywhere (also taking into consideration that more and more Municipalities and Regions are closing the parks), even if there are few people around. And again: the current rules allow those who reside in one territory but have their domicile in another to move could soon change. It is the rule that has allowed thousands of people to return from the North to the South, so to speak, and on which the Government could do an about-face, imposing a ban.

THE SCHOOLS

Schools closed even after April 3. There extension is now certain (although unofficial). What is being discussed is the possible reopening date. The most probable seems to be that of 3st May, even if there is the possibility that the Government decides for a shorter extension, until April 19, to observe the evolution of the situation. With regard to maturity, Minister Lucia Azzolina has repeatedly confirmed that the exam will "adapt" to the situation and will probably be carried out in a lighter version.

THE DEMANDS OF LOMBARDY

In agreement with the mayors, the governor, Attilio Fontana, has in fact asked the government to introduce new restrictions, such as: “Limitations on physical activity and offices and professional studios; closure of construction sites; further limitation of commercial activities; assessment of production activities that can be considered absolutely extraneous to the supply chains essential for the activity of our region and of the whole country”. The mayor of Milan Sala has also proposed the idea of ​​closing tobacco shops as well as non-food shops which are already closed.

THE NEW RULES IN VENETO

While waiting for a new decree, Zaia wastes no time. The Governor signed an order closing public parks and gardens through April 3. Supermarkets closed on Sundays and journeys based on distance: to go shopping or take the dog out, you cannot go more than 200 meters from your home, with an obligation to check.

ROME: CARPET CHECKS ON CARS

Very harsh measures also in Rome, where the mayor Virginia Raggi has announced a tightening on car controls. Throughout the weekend, and possibly beyond, more checkpoints will be set up on all roads in the capital to stop motorists and check the reasons for their movements. In the eighth grouping, which covers the southern quadrant of the capital, the measures are even stricter "The vehicles - reads the ordinance - must all be queued up and subjected to control, any line of cars must stop only in the presence of obvious dangerous situation for traffic safety.