Covid-19 infections continue to increase. An increase that worries everyone and that has prompted the Government to speed up the approval process of the new Decree of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers (Dpcm) containing the new rules to follow to try to reverse the trend and prevent the health system from finding itself facing a situation similar to the one already seen last spring.
After the tightening on masks that arrived last week, the new provision of October 12 contains new restrictions, even if for the moment any decision relating to the closure of regional borders or possible local lockdowns is postponed. In this regard, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte was keen to rule out a return to the generalized lockdown, even if selective and limited lockdowns remain possible.
“The measures of the new dpcm – explained the Premier at the press conference – will allow us to face this new phase of the pandemic. The epidemiological curve is going up. Italy is in better condition than other countries but it cannot afford any distractions. We cannot lower the level of attention”.
So here's what they are the restrictions set by the new dpcm COVID-19.
QUARANTINE AND TAMPONS
Following the indications provided by the Scientific Technical Committee, the Government has decided to modify the rules on fiduciary isolation. A new ordinance from the Ministry of Health reduces the days of quarantine from 14 to 10. In order to be able to declare the isolation period concluded, a test that ascertains negativity will be needed and it can be both the molecular swab and a rapid antigenic test.
Not only. According to the new rules, those who have contracted Covid-19 will be officially declared cured after a single swab and no longer after two consecutive tests as currently envisaged. Green light also for rapid antigenic tests in schools and for those who have had non-close contact with a positive. The tests can also be done in general practitioners' offices.
NEW RULES FOR ASYMPTOMATICS
The rules also change for those who are positive for covid, but asymptomatic. If after 10 days of isolation a person is still positive for the coronavirus, but is completely asymptomatic, he will have to wait another seven days and repeat the test. From the 21st day of quarantine onwards, even if the test is still positive, the isolation will still be interrupted "since the available evidence does not document any case of the presence of a virus competent for replication", says the Cts. Simply put, the person is no longer infectious and will be able to leave the house.
DPCM: NO MORE PRIVATE OR HOME PARTIES
"Parties will be forbidden for everyone, not just for kids: 75% of infections occur between the closest relationships, or between those who know and trust each other, ending up lowering their mask". Thus the Minister of Health, Roberto Speranza. The new dpcm therefore prohibits private parties indoors or outdoors and strongly recommends avoiding receiving more than six people who do not live together at home for parties, dinners or other.
On the checks, difficult if not impossible to carry out in private homes, the Prime Minister said: "We will not send the police forces to private homes, but we must adopt prudent behavior to manage the phase".
“We must also improve behavior in private homes, the evolution of the curve has risen above all for dynamics in the family and friendship sphere. We must wear masks if we approach fragile people, if we receive guests and we invite you to limit the number of guests to no more than six and not to hold parties and parties at home, these are situations of dangerous pitfalls ”, added Conte.
RESTRICTIONS FOR CLUBS, BARS AND RESTAURANTS
Bars, clubs and restaurants must close by midnight. Not only that, from 24 to 21 it is forbidden to stop in front of the clubs. Translated: It is not possible to drink outside, unless you are sitting at a table. A further restriction has been established: alcohol cannot be sold after 6pm.
Ballrooms and discos remain closed, while fairs and congresses are allowed.
DPCM: THE RULES ON SPORT
The new decree imposes limitations on contact sports. According to the indications, grassroots sports managed by companies that have activated the safety protocols (therefore football, volleyball, dance, but also gyms), will be able to continue. Restrictions are instead imposed on amateur matches without any control.
Clarifications have also arrived on new circular from the Interior Ministry which requires the use of masks for those who carry out motor activity: motor activity, underlined the Ministry of the Interior, "must be understood as a mere walk and not a run, even that carried out for amateur purposes, as it can be traced back to sporting activity" . Therefore, the clarification concludes, “jogging and jogging can continue to take place without the obligation to wear a mask”. No obligation to wear a mask even for those who ride a bicycle.
CINEMA, CONCERTS AND STADIUMS
The limit of 200 people for indoor shows and 1.000 people for outdoor ones has been confirmed, with the constraint of one meter between one place and another and the assignment of seats.
For sporting competitions, the presence of the public is permitted, "with a maximum filling percentage of 15% of the total capacity and in any case no more than the maximum number of 1000 spectators" outdoors and 200 indoors. The distance of one meter and the measurement of fever at the entrance must be guaranteed.
SCHOOLS AND TRANSPORT
School trips are also prohibited, but no further restrictions have been imposed on the school: “There are no conditions for distance learning. In the school things are going quite well and we say it by crossing our fingers”, explained the Premier.
On transport, Conte instead admitted: “It is certainly a critical situation because beyond the efforts of the quota it is clear that there are moments of crowding. We must avoid them, we will continue to monitor the situation and invest to ensure safety”.
READ MORE: Semi-lockdown? The Budget Office: serious consequences
(Last update: 17.28 on 13 October).
