Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced on Friday that he has ordered a national lockdown for the Christmas and New Year holidays as the country continues to see an increase in the number of cases and deaths.
Why it matters: Italy is one of the hardest hit Western countries, with 67,894 Coronavirus-related deaths from Friday – most in Europe.
Details: Conte said non-essential stores should close December 24-27, December 31-January 3, and January 5-6, according to Reuters.
- Travel on those days is only allowed for work, health or emergencies. People are also allowed to visit single elderly relatives.
- Restaurants and bars must be closed during the holiday season, except for takeout.
- Conte said the police would not specifically check that the rules were being followed indoors, but he urged Italians to be responsible, Reuters reported.
- Conte said $ 645 million ($ 790 million) has been set aside to help restaurants and other hospitality businesses.
- Worth nothing: The country had already passed a decree restricting traffic between regions from December 21 to January 6.
What he says: “The situation is difficult across Europe. The virus continues to circulate everywhere, ”Conte told reporters, per Reuters.
- “Our experts were deeply concerned that there would be a jump in the cases at Christmas. … We therefore had to act, but I can assure you it was not an easy decision. “
The big picture: Governments are struggling to determine how best to cope with the expected rise in the number of cases due to the holidays.
- Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz announced on Friday the land will be locked after Christmas. All non-essential stores, which reopened last week, must close December 26 through January. 18. Restaurants and museums must also remain closed until January 18 and schools will have to continue with distance learning until after January 15.
- Mexico City and the neighboring state of Mexico will ban non-essential activities from Saturday to at least Jan. 10, officials announced Friday.