- Title: Italy to shut all non-strategic business activities until April 3
- Date: 22nd March 2020
- Summary: CATANIA, ITALY (MARCH 21, 2020) (REUTERS) ITALIAN POLICEMEN DRIVING MOTORCYCLE IN EMPTY SQUARE IN CATANIA EMPTY STREET ITALIAN SOLDIERS WEARING PROTECTIVE MASKS ENTERING A MILITARY JEEP SOLDIERS WEARING PROTECTIVE MASKS ASKING DOCUMENTS TO WOMAN ON DESERTED STREET EMPTY STREET ITALIAN SOLDIER STANDING IN ROADBLOCK SOLDIERS STANDING IN ROADBLOCK EMPTY SQUARE MILAN, ITALY (MARCH 21, 2020) (REUTERS ) VARIOUS OF SOLDIERS WORKING OUTSIDE MILAN CENTRAL STATION
- Embargoed: 5th April 2020 09:47
- Keywords: Catania Conte address Italy Milan Rome containment coronavirus measures outbreak production quarantine
- Location: ROME, CATANIA, MILAN, ITALY
- City: ROME, CATANIA, MILAN, ITALY
- Country: Italy
- Topics: Health/Medicine
- Reuters ID: LVA002C64V3NR
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: EDITOR'S PLEASE NOTE VIDEO CONTAINS WHITE FLASH FRAME
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said on Saturday (March 21) that all Italian businesses must close until April 3, with the exception of those essential to maintaining the country's supply chain, in the latest desperate effort to halt the coronavirus epidemic.
Italy recorded a jump in deaths from the virus of almost 800 on Saturday, taking the toll in the world's hardest-hit country to almost 5,000.
"It is the most difficult crisis in our post-war period," Conte said in a video posted on Facebook, adding that "the government decision is to close, in the entire country, all productive activities which are not strictly vital".
Supermarkets, pharmacies, postal and banking services will remain open, Conte said, and essential public services including transport will be ensured.
The government is expected to publish an emergency decree on Sunday (March 22) to make the latest crackdown immediately effective.
Meanwhile in all major cities in Italy soldiers and police forces are increasing the number of roadblocks to better control the population's movements.
Streets are mostly empty but authorities have become frustrated in recent days to see people still out and about despite their appeals to stay indoors for all but absolutely essential needs.
In Rome many flashmobs are being organised to give relief and life the spirits to all the people staying inside their homes. One of these little initiatives is the weekend concerts by DJ Francesco Cellini, who plays for his neighbours from the rooftop terrace of his apartment building in the central neighbourhood of Monteverde.
(Production: Antonio Parrinello, Daniele Mascolo, Alberto lingria, Alessandro Felici) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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