The Government accepts the requests of the Lombardy Region and its mayors to intensify the fight against Coronavirus to the highest level e immediately closes all shops, throughout Italy and for the whole day, including bars, restaurants, barbershops, shopping centres, canteens and pubs. Only pharmacies, basic necessities and food shops and newsstands remain open. The hope is to deliver a decisive blow to the virus within two weeks after that The World Health Organization has defined the Coronavirus as a 'pandemic' and after the Council of Ministers had already set aside in the morning 25 billion euros to support businesses and families.
This was announced on TV by the Prime Minister, Giuseppe Conte, after having stated that he had consulted all the forces of the majority and of the opposition.
From the new close I am excluding public transport: trams, metro, buses, trains and planes will continue to circulate regularly, unlike what the Lombardy Region had proposed. They will remain open, as requested by Confindustria, industrial companies as well, provided they adopt now protocols to ensure maximum safety of the workers. They will continue their business too agricultural activities.
They remain open too post offices and banks. The important thing is to avoid gatherings to prevent infections and stop the Coronavirus. And of course stay at home as much as possible, using smart working.
Finally, the premier announced that he had nominated a Deputy Commissioner who will collaborate with the Civil Protection and the health system: he will be the CEO of Invitalia, Dominic Arcuri.
Coronavirus is an ugly beast but all together we can do it. Or at least hopefully.
UNIEURO IS OPEN