"Phase 2" of the COVID19 pandemic In Italy

Premier Giuseppe Conte

Rome [ENA] In Italy, the so-called "Phase 2" of the COVID19 pandemic will introduce some mitigation of the restrictive measures adopted till now starting from Monday 4th May. The government has established some new rules including, for example, the possibility of visiting the relatives living in the same region and the reopening of public parks and gardens, in compliance with health regulations and avoiding gatherings.

The use of the sanitary masks has become mandatory in all closed places accessible to the public, such as public transport and shops. The new legislation also established the obligation to remain at home for all those who present symptoms related to respiratory syndromes and a body temperature above 37.5 degrees. Also from 4 May, it is possible to return to sport activities, individually, even in places more than 200 meters away from home. Another important change concerns the possibility to officiate a funeral, with a maximum number of participants set at 15 people wearing protective sanitary masks and possibly outdoors.

Also starting from 4 May, take-away dining is allowed for bars, restaurants and the like, which can add this new activity to the already accepted home delivery business. Various production and industrial activities will start, activities for the manufacturing and construction sectors, together with all the wholesale activities related to them, with the obligation to comply with the regulations in force on workplace safety. Movements are allowed to meet only relatives, who must be considered among the movements justified by necessity. It is however strongly recommended to limit meetings with non-cohabitants bacause that increases the risk of contagion. During these meetings the following must be respected:

Rome, Capitol Hill by night

the ban on gathering, the interpersonal distancing of at least one meter and the obligation to use masks for the protection of the respiratory tract. This was one of the most controversial points because people wanted to understand who their relatives were. The government had to clarify that spouses are: cohabiting partners, partners of civil unions, people who are linked by a stable emotional bond, as well as relatives up to the sixth degree (such as, for example, the children of cousins ​​with each other) and relatives up to the fourth degree (such as, for example, the spouse's cousins).

A Restaurant in Rome

Given that coronavirus is not affecting all Italian regions in the same way, it would have made sense that the least affected regions took more courage in anticipating the new national provisions. But high is the fear of the big numbers of COVID19. Especially as regards tourism, one of the major Italian economic activities, the situation is critical: there are already many companies in the sector that will close their doors despite the summer just around the corner. Those entrepreneurs who are going to resist will do it anyway, but they will not be able to employ all the people they utilized before. According to data from the National Statistics Institute (Istat), 81 million tourists and 10 billion euros spent by foreigners are missing.

Italian beach

Beach tourism entrepreneurs are thinking of plexiglass or bamboo boxes or real open air apartments surrounded by a space of up to 54 square meters per umbrella, with all comforts and services, especially for families: nursery where to breastfeed and change infants, pediatric and dermatologist service, plants and green elements etc. But if all this does not happen , it will be the whole economy to suffer. That is, all Italians.