Italy may extend coronavirus state of emergency, PM says
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said on Friday it was possible a state of emergency triggered by the coronavirus crisis could be extended beyond the end of the month.
In Italy, the procedure -- which has been used in the past after floods and earthquakes -- helps to cut red tape and hands regional authorities special powers.
Conte first called the state of emergency on January 31st, after two cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Rome, but before Italy's first Covid-19-related deaths.
READ ALSO:
-
Italy's latest travel rules, explained
-
Italian region introduces €1,000 fine for breaking quarantine
-
Coronavirus was already in Italy by December, waste water study shows
"Reasonably, the conditions exist to extend the state of emergency due to the coronavirus after July 31," Conte told reporters in Venice.
"The state of emergency serves to keep the virus under control. We have not yet decided, but we are reasonably moving in that direction," he added.
"A possible extension means that we will be able to continue to take the necessary measures, even if they are of limited scope."
Nearly 35,000 people have died from coronavirus in Italy, the first country hit by the global health crisis after China, and more than 242,000 people have been infected.
In May, as rates of infection began to decline, Italy started easing a strict two-month lockdown that shuttered most shops and businesses and restricted the movement of people.
Health officials caution that although the crisis has subsided, the virus is still circulating.
On Thursday, Italy banned travellers from 13 countries, including Bangladesh and Brazil, that it deems risky for Covid-19 transmission.
It took the measure after discovering an alarming rate of coronavirus infections among people arriving in Rome from flights originating in Dhaka.
See Also
In Italy, the procedure -- which has been used in the past after floods and earthquakes -- helps to cut red tape and hands regional authorities special powers.
Conte first called the state of emergency on January 31st, after two cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Rome, but before Italy's first Covid-19-related deaths.
READ ALSO:
- Italy's latest travel rules, explained
- Italian region introduces €1,000 fine for breaking quarantine
- Coronavirus was already in Italy by December, waste water study shows
"Reasonably, the conditions exist to extend the state of emergency due to the coronavirus after July 31," Conte told reporters in Venice.
"The state of emergency serves to keep the virus under control. We have not yet decided, but we are reasonably moving in that direction," he added.
"A possible extension means that we will be able to continue to take the necessary measures, even if they are of limited scope."
Nearly 35,000 people have died from coronavirus in Italy, the first country hit by the global health crisis after China, and more than 242,000 people have been infected.
In May, as rates of infection began to decline, Italy started easing a strict two-month lockdown that shuttered most shops and businesses and restricted the movement of people.
Health officials caution that although the crisis has subsided, the virus is still circulating.
On Thursday, Italy banned travellers from 13 countries, including Bangladesh and Brazil, that it deems risky for Covid-19 transmission.
It took the measure after discovering an alarming rate of coronavirus infections among people arriving in Rome from flights originating in Dhaka.
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.